4 Things to Know About Gardening Late in the Season – Bob Vila

So , you missed the boat on starting your vegetable garden back in spring. Is it too late to plant a garden now that will be ready for harvest come fall or winter? Maybe not! Whether you’re hoping in order to start from scratch or squeeze in a second planting, there are some key things to keep in mind about late-season planting.

The general advice for gardeners is to get their crops within the ground by the end of June at the latest, but that doesn’t mean you should give up hope now that it’s July. There’s some wiggle room with regard to planting past due in the particular season, depending on your hardiness zone and how strategic you are about what goes in the ground.

If you’re looking to start planting your garden later than usual this year, follow these four tips.

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1 . Select the right crops now.

Timing the seasons right is always an important factor with planting, yet there are some plants that still grow within cooler weather . Keep your expectations in check: Cooler fall weather causes vegetables to grow a bit slower, which means they may be smaller when it’s time to pick them.

The types of crops that are best suited for a late summer gardening depends on your own particular climate, so it helps to know your hardiness zone and first frost date . Look for plants that mature quickly, like beets, spinach, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers , and more. You also want to select vegetation that tolerate frost, such as broccoli, parsnips, kale, scallions, and others.

2 . Buy your vegetation or seeds in person.

While buying plant life and seed products online is convenient, time is of the particular essence whenever planting late in the season. Shipping takes time. Instead, we recommend you hand-select the crops for your backyard from a local store or even plant nursery.

Determine which plants will work for your climate later in the season, plus read labels to avoid purchasing plants that won’t last. Try to select plants along with healthy foliage (no spots or yellowing leaves), and opt for smaller plants that will have an easier time adjusting to transplanting. Some nursery plants may have been sitting around for a while, so avoid specimens that have roots growing out associated with their container’s drainage holes, as this may be symptomatic of a root-bound grow .

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3. Plant in suitable soil.

Plant selection is important, but make sure you also consider the role your own soil will play in whether or not the plants actually grow. If you’re planting in the summer, hot temperatures can roast your seeds and kill your late-season garden before it gets started.

Take care of your seed products and immature plants by placing all of them in shaded areas until they’re large enough to withstand the heat, and keep the particular soil moist and mulched to help the plants establish themselves. The quality of your ground matters, too; keep the particular soil rich in nutrients by using compost plus organic fertilizer .

four. Make a plan to extend your horticulture season.

You’re working with limited period, so finding ways in order to protect your plants and prolong the growing time of year helps give your vegetation a better chance to yield produce.

Before the first ice hits, you need a plan to keep your vegetation happy if they require a bit more time for you to adult. Colder climate puts plant life at risk, but there are ways to protect your plants when the temperature dips: A person can add insulation over the dirt using natural ground covers, cold frames , or protective addresses made associated with plastic or even fabric that can be placed more than the vegetation when the particular nights are usually cold plus days are warmer. Additionally, plants can be potted and moved to a greenhouse or indoors for overwintering if you have the space.

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