Why Fall Might Just Be Your Garden’s Secret Weapon

Most people think of fall as the time to put the garden to bed - pull the weeds, store the tools, and dream about next spring. But seasoned gardeners know better: late summer and early fall can be the start of a whole new harvest season. With the right timing and a few simple steps, you can enjoy crisp, homegrown vegetables well into the cooler months - even past the first frost.

If your garden’s been looking a little neglected, this is your second chance to make it thrive. Here’s how to get started:

1. Know your frost dates

Your fall garden success hinges on timing. Cool-weather crops need to mature before daytime highs consistently dip into the low 50s. In our region, the first frost usually arrives in mid-October, which means you have roughly six weeks to get plants established. Mark that on your calendar and work backward to plan your planting schedule.

2. Give your plants a cozy cover

Even hardy vegetables appreciate a little shelter. Cold frames are a gardener’s best friend in the fall -  they trap heat, block wind, and extend your harvest. You can buy one at a garden center, build your own with plywood and plastic sheeting, or repurpose materials you already have. For small garden beds, a hinged plexiglass lid works wonders; for bigger spaces, opt for heavy-duty plastic stretched over a simple frame.

3. Invest in your soil’s future

If you’re not planning to harvest this fall, plant a cover crop instead. Cover crops boost soil health, prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and can even feed your soil with nitrogen. Edible options include peas and beans, while clover, rye, buckwheat, and sorghum are excellent for pure soil enrichment.

What to plant now

Fall is prime time for cool-weather champions. Leafy greens like chard, kale, lettuce, and spinach love the chill. Broccoli, beets, carrots, and radishes can handle a bit of frost, while root vegetables like fennel, parsnips, turnips, and Brussels sprouts practically thrive in it. And if you want a sweet treat for later, rhubarb might just become your new favorite fall project.

Even if you decide not to plant this year, keep this guide handy. Come next season, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running and planting for an early, delicious harvest.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visithttp://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

What to Plant for a Fall Harvest

If you think late summer is the time to give your garden a rest, think again. This time of year is perfect to get late fall and winter veggies into the ground to enjoy a delicious harvest even when the frost sets in. For those of you with a green thumb or even if you regret not making the most of your garden earlier this year, now is a great time to get planting. Let’s start with three basic tips.

First, make a note of the frost dates. A smart cool weather garden will thrive if plants are in the ground and have time to mature well before the daytime temperature starts to settle at around 55 degrees. The almanac has the first frost around the second week in October, which means you have about six weeks to get your crops settled in. 

If you’ve decided on a fall garden, you might want to think about building a cold frame. You can buy one at a local hardware store, or make your own using plywood and plastic with holes for ventilation. For a small garden, a hinged plexiglass box will do the trick but for larger beds, consider heavy-duty plastic sheeting.

Lastly, use this opportunity to give back to your garden and prepare it for next season. If you’re not too picky about what to plant or you aren’t interested in harvesting, consider a cover crop - a species that will improve the health of your soil, enhance your garden’s biodiversity, and keep pests and weeds at bay. Peas and beans are the best choices for veggies while clover, rye, buckwheat, and sorghum work really well as a nutrient-enriching cover.

Once you’ve committed to a fall garden, the only decision is what to plant. Some of my favorite vegetables do really well in the colder months, so luckily you have tons to choose from. In terms of leafy greens, you have your pick with chard, kale, lettuce of all kinds, and spinach. Other tough veggies like broccoli, beets, carrots, and radishes are plenty strong enough for these colder months.  My favorite roasters like pumpkins, fennel, parsnips, turnips, and Brussels sprouts also do incredibly well this time of year. And let’s not forget rhubarb for a delicious late-season pie!

If you love all these veggies but can’t get yourself to commit to a late summer garden, don’t worry. Bookmark this for six months' time and get excited to kick off the spring with early planting. Happy Gardening!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Late Summer Veggies for a Fall Garden Harvest

If you think late summer is the time to give your garden a rest, think again. This time of year is perfect to get late fall and winter veggies into the ground to enjoy a delicious harvest even when the frost sets in. For those of you with a green thumb or even if you regret not getting in the garden earlier this year, now is a great time to get planting. Let’s start with three basic tips.

First, make a note of the frost dates. A smart cool weather garden will thrive if it’s in the ground and has time to mature well before the daytime temperature starts to settle at around 55 degrees. The almanac has the first frost around the second week in October, which means you have about six weeks to get your crops settled in. 

If you’ve decided on a fall garden, you might want to think about building a cold frame. You can buy one at a local hardware store, or make your own using plywood and plastic with holes for ventilation. For a small garden, a hinged plexiglass box will do the trick but for larger beds, consider heavy-duty plastic sheeting.

Lastly, use this opportunity to give back to your garden and get it ready for next season. If you’re not too picky about what to plant or you aren’t interested in harvesting, consider a cover crop - a species that will improve the health of your soil, enhance your garden’s biodiversity, and keep pests and weeds at bay. Peas and beans are the best choices for veggies, and clover, rye, buckwheat, and sorghum work really well too.

Once you’ve committed to a fall garden, the only decision left is what to plant! Some of my favorite vegetables do really well in the colder months, so luckily you have tons to choose from. In terms of leafy greens, you have your pick with chard, kale, lettuce of all kinds, and spinach. Other tough veggies like broccoli, beets, carrots, and radishes are plenty strong for these colder months.  My favorites roasters like fennel, parsnips, turnips, and Brussels sprouts also do incredibly well this time of year. And let’s not forget rhubarb for a delicious late-season pie!

If you love all these veggies but can’t get yourself to commit to a late summer garden, don’t worry. Bookmark this for six months' time and get excited to kick off the spring with early planting. Happy Gardening!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.