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Approaching prime time for autumn vegetables
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Published: August 10, 2008
Early September is a good time for planting fall vegetables like cabbage, spinach, greens and collards. Transplants are still available for cabbage and collards. These short-season vegetables will disappear during winter and come back in late winter while it is still cool for a good harvest next spring.
Before planting, weeds like bermuda grass should be eradicated. The soil should then receive lime (if not done in the past three years or if the pH is below 6.2) plus fertilizer and then be tilled to a depth of six to eight inches. Compost plowed into the soil about a week or two before planting will improve germination. Poor germination will allow for native weeds that germinate in the fall — like henbit and chickweeds — to creep in and compete. A thin layer of straw will help conserve moisture.
The secret is a fast start and continuous growth. This often means watering regularly to keep the surface damp. Getting a good stand of fall and winter vegetables in the heat of the summer is no easy task. Watering should be done to wet the soil four or more inches deep if the soil is dry. If planted in rows, thinning to the proper stand is suggested after plants are one to two inches tall.
Insects such as aphids can be a problem with tender leafy crops during cooler fall weather. Ladybugs do some good in keeping them under control but often need help from oil, soap or conventional insecticide sprays for better results. Pesticides like malathion will give very good results; however, there can be a waiting period between application and harvest that ranges from seven to 14 days.
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