Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
Have you considered a cool-season vegetable garden? It’s not too late to start one. I’ve just planted a number of crops that promise a delicious harvest in less than 60 days. Here they are, the best of the speed-demons for September planting:
Here in my Kitchen Garden, Burpee’s ‘Tenderpod’ bean unfurls its first true leaves 7 days after planting
1. Radish ‘French Breakfast’ 23 days to maturity.
2. Spinach ‘Baby’s Leaf’ seed to harvest in 30 days; ‘Bloomsdale Longstanding’ 45 days.
3. Arugula ‘Rocket’ 35 days.
4. Mesclun (all varieties) 30-45 days.
5. Broccoli ‘Flash Hybrid’ 30 days.
6. Beet ‘Chicago Red’ 49 days
7. Beans ‘Tenderpod’ 50 days.
8. Swiss Chard ‘Five Color Silverbeet’ 52 days.
If you hurry, you can even get in a crop of carrots. ‘Danver’s Half-Long’ and ‘Scarlet Nantes’ both take only 65 days to mature. I planted Danver’s last fall, and just left them in the ground over winter. This was not unwise. The following March I harvested the fattest, sweetest carrots I’ve ever tasted.
The only challenge to growing a fall harvest is frost. I simply keep an eye on the forecast. When nighttimes are expected to dip into the 40s or worse, I cover my crops with a frost blanket. You can find inexpensive frost blankets at almost any quality garden center or hardware store. In a pinch, use burlap. Remove this protection in the morning, as the sun warms the soil.
Frankly, after the miserable weather my summer crops endured, I’m counting on a productive autumn…are you?
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Justin says
I didn't plant beans this summer, and I'm really missing them now. Great to know I have a second chance. Surely the beans will perform better than my tomatoes did!
Sharon says
Kevin, I have left over “Mesclun Mix” seeds – can I plant them now, or do I need fresh seeds?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Sharon – So long as the seed-package is stamped “Packed for 2009,” the seeds should be fine. Happy planting!
Holly says
Kevin, thanks for the motivation! I planted about 40 Danver's Half Long carrot seeds today. Wish me luck!
Ronkyle says
Ah, you are very kind, CherryPie. Thank you!Your kind reply evidences, tuhgoh, that once again I was able to put my tuhgohts in misunderstable a way.Trying again, this time impersonal: One cannot always be sure if one’s tuhgohts (or the tuhgohts of others) are weeds or flowers.Often what we’d consider weeds (futile/unprofitable/useless) has its very specific beauty/ benefit [? if that’s the right word].PS: Not missing one post I am / I have been, but when it comes/came to commenting (and replying comments on my blog): look above.Good to know there’s someone forgiving me with a lenient smile.The peace of the night.