A guide to the fall garden for Zone 8 region. Pest prevention, planting, harvesting, and everything in between. Focusing on gardening fruits and vegetables for a great harvest to keep over the winter.
How do I prepare my garden for fall planting?
- Clean up any diseased or dead plants. Removing these plants will prevent pest and further disease problems.
- Prepare your soil for planting by amending it with compost and other organic matter to improve its structure and fertility.
- Plan out the crops and plants you wish to grow. Be sure to account for sunlight needs and different growing requirements for each plant.
- Check local nurseries and gardening stores for sales on fencing and gardening equipment.
When is the best time to plant fall crops in zone 8?
Indoors
Start indoor seeds around late August to early September for fall crops in zone 8. Good examples of seeds to start indoors are brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, or kale) or some lettuces like Bok choy and arugula.
Direct Sow
The best time to direct sow seeds in zone 8 is in early September or early October. Seeds such as beans, peas, garlic, carrot, or radish may be planted. Sowing these directly outdoors will allow for a good root system to establish before cooler weather comes in.
Transplant
Plant transplants outdoors in in late September to early October for zone 8 gardens. Examples of transplants to add to your garden at this time would be artichokes, collards, or even strawberries.
How often should I water my fall garden?
The frequency of watering your fall garden depends on several factors, including soil type, and weather conditions. As a general guideline, keep newly planted crops and seedlings moist until they are established.
For established plants, water once a week depending on rainfall. Do not overwater as root rot may set in. Complete a simple finger test to determine if the soil needs water. A finger test includes dipping the tip of your finger about 2 inches into the topsoil layer. If the soil sticks to your finger it is still moist, if the soil is sandy or crumbles off your finger, give the soil a deep watering.
Keep in mind that sandy soil drains quickly, therefore it will need watering more often. In addition, container plants will need to be watered more often as they are faster draining than in ground planting areas.
How do I protect my fall crops from frost?
In general, to protect fall crops from frost cover them with blankets or row covers. Zone 8 typically does not get frost in the fall, but with the changing weather, it is better to be prepared.
Other methods of frost prevention include insulating your crops with mulch around the base d of the plants. In addition, container plants can be moved indoors to protect them from below freezing temperatures.
Another step to protecting fall crops during a frost period is to water them the night before the expected frost. Water will hold heat in the soil better than dry soil.
What pests and diseases are common in the garden in the fall months?
In the fall, some common garden pests and diseases include:
Pests
- Aphids: tiny, sap sucking insects that can damage leaves, stems and flowers
- Slugs and snails: feed on leaves and stems leaving ragged holes
- Cabbage loopers: green caterpillars that feed on brassica crops like broccoli and kale
- Squash bugs: shield-shaped insects that feed on the leaves and stems of squash and pumpkin plants
Diseases
- Powdery mildew: a fungal disease that causes white, powdery growth on leaves, stems, and flowers
- Downy mildew: a fungal disease that causes yellow or brown spots on the top of leaves, with white downy growth on the bottom
- Root rot: a soil borne fungal disease that causes the roots of plants to rot and die
- Blight: a fungal disease that affects tomatoes and potatoes, causing leaves to turn yellow and the fruit to rot
Prevention
To prevent pests and diseases in the fall garden, practice crop rotation to avoid planting the same family of plants in the same location year after year which can lead up to the buildup of pests and diseases. Remove any diseased plants and debris from the garden to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
In addition, use companion planting by planting certain crops together such as marigolds and tomatoes to help deter pests and improve health of the environment. Furthermore, water plants from the base or as close to the soil as possible. Watering overhead can spread disease from leaf to leaf of the same plant and neighboring plants.
Finally, choose varieties that are disease resistant. Some examples include Waltham butternut squash, or banana pepper.
How do I fertilize my fall garden?
To fertilize your fall garden, add a high phosphorus fertilizer and fresh compost to your garden beds. Phosphorus promotes root growth and helps plants store energy for the winter. If using a granular fertilizer or dry fertilizer, rake it into the soil to incorporate it into the root zone. If using a liquid fertilizer, water into the soil thoroughly; avoid spraying directly onto leaves as this may cause burning.
In addition, add a 4-to-6-inch layer of mulch to your garden beds to help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Mulch will also help prevent weed growth.
What is the best way to preserve my fall crops to keep them in the winter?
In general, there are several methods to preserving fall crops. Some of the most popular are canning, freezing, dehydrating, pickling, and storing in a root cellar.
Canning is a popular method for preserving fruits and vegetables and involves cooking the produce and sealing it in airtight glass jars to prevent spoilage. This method will allow for long term storage from 1 to 2 years.
Freezing is another way to preserve fall crops. This method involves quickly freezing the produce to lock in its freshness and flavor. You can keep frozen produce for 1 to 5 years if properly sealed.
Dehydrating involves removing moisture from the produce to extend its shelf life. However, dehydrating is a lengthy process and can be expensive. This method works well for fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In addition, dehydrated foods can be rehydrated years later but the consistency of the produce will change.
Pickling is preserving food in a vinegar or brine solution. Commonly used with cucumbers and peppers, other vegetables like cabbage and beets can also be pickled. This method will also preserve food for a year or two.
Lastly, using a root cellar, or cold, dark, moist room will allow for fresh vegetables to be kept through the winter. However, in warmer climates other methods of preserving will allow for a longer shelf life.
What fruits and vegetables can I grow in Zone 8 during the fall?
September – Early Fall
| Sow Seed Indoors | Direct Sow Seed Outside | Plant from Transplant |
| Artichoke Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Collards Kale | Arugula Beets Bok choy Broad beans Bush snap beans Carrots Chinese broccoli Cilantro Dill Endive Fennel Garlic Mustard Parsley Parsnips Pole beans Potatoes Radish Southern peas Sweet corn Swiss chard | Broccoli Brussel sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Cold hardy herbs Collards Horseradish Kale Kohlrabi |
October – Mid Fall
| Sow Seed Indoors | Direct Sow Seed Outside | Plant from Transplant |
| Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Collards Kale | Beets Carrots Cilantro Fennel Garlic Lettuces Parsley Peas Radish Spinach Swiss chard | Artichokes Broccoli Brussel sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Cold hardy herbs Collards Kale Strawberries |
November – Late Fall
| Sow Seed Indoors | Direct Sow Seed Outside | Plant from Transplant |
| N/A | Carrot Cilantro Lettuce Mustard Parsley Radish Spinach Swiss chard Turnip | Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Cold hardy herbs Collards Horseradish Kohlrabi |
What vegetables and fruits can I harvest in the fall?
| September – Early Fall | October – Mid Fall | November – Late Fall |
| Apple Beans Beets Bell peppers Cabbage Carrots Celery Citrus Corn Cucumber Greens Herbs Hot peppers Kohlrabi Lettuce Melons Mushrooms Okra Onions Peaches Pears Peas Potatoes Pumpkins Squash Summer squash Sweet potatoes Tomatoes Turnips Winter squash | Apples Beans Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Celery Citrus Cucumbers Herbs Lettuce Melons Mushrooms Okra Pears Peas Pumpkin Radish Squash Summer squash Sweet potatoes Turnips Winter squash | Apples Beans Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Celery Citrus Herbs Lettuce Mushrooms Peas Pumpkins Radish Spinach Squash Summer squash Sweet potatoes Turnips Winter squash |
Other Articles on Fall Gardening
Fall Planting – Checklist for Zone 8 (Printable) (https://boonstead.com/fall-planting-checklist-for-zone-8-printable/)
Do I Buy or Harvest Seeds for my Garden? (https://boonstead.com/do-i-buy-or-harvest-seeds-for-my-garden/)
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