Pike Nurseries serves up suggestions for growing fall veggies

Atlanta GA

18 October, 2021

4:45 PM

Description

Even though summer has come to a close, gardening does not have to end as well! The garden center professionals at Pike Nurseries share tips to grow delicious fall vegetables, taking the guesswork out of preparing an autumn harvest this year. Benefits of Homegrown Produce Growing greens is easy, healthy and fun for the whole family. Planting personal crops encourages more fresh fruit and veggies in our daily diet and involving little ones in the process teaches them the origins of their food -- while hopefully discouraging picky eaters. Gardening also has physical and mental health benefits: the physical activity keeps bodies fit and tending to the garden can also help relieve anxiety and provide a mood boost. As an added benefit, homegrown produce is more eco-friendly, with a lower carbon footprint than grocery store produce.   Planting Tips The Pike Nurseries experts advise placing veggie plants in a location that receives at least six hours of full sun exposure per day. Veggies can grow in a variety of places, including raised beds, backyard gardens, or in containers.  When planting in containers, a quality potting soil, such as Pike Nurseries Potting and Container Soil, will prevent plants from drying out too quickly. For raised beds and gardens in the ground, Pike’s experts recommend a duo of Pike Vegetable & Flower Soil and Pennington Fast Acting Lime. Mix the vegetable soil 50/50 with the native clay to improve aeration, drainage and to create a healthy foundation for new crops. The lime frees up nutrients in the soil for easier plant absorption which aids in abundant crop production.  Gardeners of all skillsets can keep veggies healthy by regularly fertilizing every six to eight weeks with a slow release, organic vegetable food, such as Dr. Earth’s Home Grown Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer.  Crops to Grow in Fall ·      Broccoli Pack a nutritional punch with broccoli! To ensure a healthy growth, broccoli thrives with regular fertilization, lots of sunlight and plenty of water around the soil. Harvesting begins when the buds of the head are firm and tight. Gardeners should cut the stem at an angle to encourage side shoots for additional harvesting.   ·         Cauliflower This popular and ever versatile cool weather veggie grows slowly, so patience is key. For quality cauliflower, the Pike Nurseries garden professionals recommend watering thoroughly and consistently. Gardeners of all levels will know it’s time to harvest when heads are 6 to 8 inches in diameter and are firm, white in color and tight. ·         Collards Collards thrive in colder temperatures, making them the perfect veggie to add to a fall garden. When planting, ensure the soil is moist, fertile and in full sun. When watering, the Pike gardening pros suggest adding about two inches of water per week to ensure healthy growth. ·         Fruit Fall is an ideal time to plant fruit trees including apple, peach and pear, as well as blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. The cooler weather is less stressful on new plants (and more enjoyable for humans) while the still-warm soil encourages root systems to establish quickly. This ensures a strong, healthy plant, as well as vigorous growth next spring and abundant harvests for years to come.  ·         Herbs Herbs are an easy way to spice up any meal! Pike recommends planting favorites for fall recipes such as parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme. These four herb rock stars thrive year-round, but are especially great for autumn soups, Thanksgiving turkeys, and other holiday and winter recipes. Lavender is another herb that performs well in Southeastern gardens; it has delicious flavor, pretty purple blooms that attract pollinators and has aromatherapy properties for relaxing and getting a good night’s rest. ·         Kale Kale is not only a superfood, it's a super plant - tolerating cold and frost. They grow well in garden beds or pots. Harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand. As with lettuce and spinach, pick the outer leaves first. Choose the smaller, tender leaves for salads and larger leaves for cooking. ·         Lettuce A perfect vegetable to grow during the fall season is lettuce. Lettuce is ideal for containers thanks to its shallow roots.  For a delectable variety of greens, plant several different types of lettuce such as romaine or red leaf. When it's time to harvest, snip off any outer leaves so the center will continue to grow.   ·  For more tips on growing a healthy harvest, visit the experts at Pike Nurseries’ 19 locations to learn how to plant and care for a delicious harvest. For information on locations and other gardening needs, visit PikeNursery.com.