Fall/Winter Vegetable Garden in Atlanta

Fall crop of lettuce

In the Garden:
It is almost that time folks, where we get to play in the dirt again. Yay us! I am so ready to start "planning" (not "planting" quite yet) my Fall/Winter Vegetables in the raised bed out front. I am ready for the stresses of keeping the Summer tomatoes, beans and okra wet to be gone. To add nutrients back to the ground, leaving me with rich, satiny, dark soil, in which to plant in. The months of August and September are the months the gardening calender says we can start planting most of our starts and seeds like lettuce, parsnips and broccoli.
Here are some tips:

•  Go here for your first frost date and simply punch in your zip code; http://letsgrowveggies.com/georgia/30340/frost_dates/ ; mine is 10/31.

• Subtract the number of "days to maturity" on the plant from the first frost date, this is when you should plant. Just know that every crop is different and to do your research. 

• Make a list of what and when you will plant to keep things organized.

• Observe your garden, if you have vegetables in it that are done producing, pull them, roots and all. If you have vegetables that you will not be harvesting for a few more months, like watermelons or pumpkins, do not disturb them. 

• Amend what space you have by breaking up the ground, adding a combo of compost, vermiculite and peat moss. Mix in and smooth out.

• Plant seeds or transplants in rows or square feet areas and water well. 

 

• Watering is key in the beginning so keep it up in order to give them a good start, and when it is cooler, you will know you can reduce the amount you water.