Finally it is cooler and we can enjoy some quality garden time. If you’ve out off planting, now is definitely the time to get your hands in the soil.
Trees:
This is not a good time to plant tropicals. They are best kept in the nursery pots if purchased now and planted out in spring. It is, however, a fantastic time to get tropical trees on sale. Citrus and deciduous trees can be planted all month long.
It is a good time to think about winter protection for cold-sensitive tropicals before cold snaps hit. Check out our article on winter microclimates.
The Veggie Patch:
If you started fall crops last month, continue planting for succession sowing and continuous harvests. If you have not started fall sowing, you still have time to do so this month.
When planting out fall vegetables, keep in mind that the amount of sunlight they receive over the winter months does affect how quickly or slowly they grow.
- Arugula: This time of year beautiful pickings of young arugula are perfect in fall salads. Continue to direct sow seeds all winter long.
- Asparagus: Asparagus crowns can still be planted out as well.
- Fava Beans: There is still time to plant fava beans right now, which will be producing around March.
- Brassicas: The brassica family can still be direct sown or transplanted. This includes cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, turnips, rutabaga, and kohlrabi.
- Celery: Celery can be direct sown or transplanted.
- Lettuce: Lettuce can still be direct sown this month and they can be transplanted into the garden. In addition, you can sow a variety of other salad greens right now. Try chickweed, mache, sorrel, and cress.
- Mustard: Mustard is part of the brassica family and loves the current weather. They easily grow from sowing.
- Peas: Sow this garden staple all month as a good option for succession sowing. Soak seeds overnight before planting.
- Swiss Chard: Swiss chard can be direct sown or transplanted.
Roots:
- Carrots: Succession sow carrots by direct sowing. Keep seeds continuously moist until germination.
- Beets: Direct sow beets. If you do not care for the earthy flavor of red beets, try a yellow variety which has a much milder flavor.
- Fennel: Fennel seedlings can be transplanted out the first couple of weeks of November.
- Garlic: There is still time to get garlic cloves into the ground. Plant as deep as 6 inches and mulch well.
- Onions: Direct sow or transplant out both bunching and bulbing onions. Look for short or neutral day onions.
- Radish: Radishes make good companions for carrots. Continue to succession sow all month.
- Parsnips: Direct sow parsnips seeds now. Allow enough room as they do get very large.
- Salsify: Direct sown salsify seeds. Leaves and flowers of salsify are edible.
Herbs:
- Chives: Onion chives are perfect for planting now either from seed or direct sowing.
- Cilantro: Soak cilantro overnight before planting in a very sunny spot.
- Dill: Dill also makes a fantastic brassica companion. Direct sow or transplant seedlings.
- Parsley: Transplant or direct sow parsley
Flowers:
- Calendula: Plant calendula now to overwinter. In very early spring they will bloom attracting many beneficial bugs.
- Nasturtium: Direct sow or transplant nasturtium seeds now. They are great as a brassica companion
- Bulbs: This is also the perfect time of year to plant out flowering bulbs. Daffodils, ranunculus, iris, and Muscari can be planted now. Paperwhites planted now will bloom over the holiday season.
- Wildflowers: Sprinkle out wildflowers seeds now. The winter rains will help them germinate and bring spring color to your garden.
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