Fall/Winter Garden 2015

Put in about 4000 sq feet of corn yesterday. Half dozen tomato plants, red bell peppers Eggplants and a bunch of peas. Gonna have some problems with grass because half of my garden was just broken up from grass yard a month ago. I have a tow-behind tiller and a micro tiller and a new hoe, and I don't mind getting dirty though.

Interesting.
My summer garden hasn't quite matured yet but I had thought of trying some plants for a Fall garden.
Are you in northern Ohio?
How late do you figure you can continue to grow?
Do you plan to use hoop houses or anything to extend your season?
I'll be watching this thread.

:fing32:

Flint I assume you're asking me. It's interesting how things work. My sister lives in Colorado 1200 miles away and her season is like yours. It'll freeze here sometimes late November. Depends on the year. Some years we don't worry about a freeze until mid December or so. Seems like not long ago it was in the 80's here and she still had snow on the ground. Throughout August our problem down here is the sun and heat. I may have to drape something over the tomato cages to shade them and water a lot. I've never grown fall corn so this year is an experiment for me.

Since you mentioned Ohio, I'll assume you were referring to me. I live in Central Ohio, about 25 miles South of Columbus.

The latest I've planted items before was July 1, of last year, and that was Sweet Corn and Roma II beans. Being the ground temps were 70º+, both were up in 3 days. But, I planted them the day were got a nice soaking 6/10's of rain over night. by Aug. 1, corn was in tassel, and beans were blooming. Both produced very well, as we had enough rain along, they really grew.

I did set out 10 Okra plants last week, and are doing well so far. Hoping to get the cabbage and Brussels Sprouts out this week, as the plants aren't quite big enough to suit me just yet. Both can tolerate cooler weather, and they say Brussels Sprouts are better tasting after a frost anyway. Cabbage seeds were free, and the sprouts were 9 cents, so I'm not out much, other then labor, and a little gasoline. All are like 55 days until maturity.

We usually get the first frost the second week of Oct. here, the week of our County Fair. I've seen it 95º on opening day on Sunday, and spitting snow the same week on Thursday.

The first patch of Sweet Corn should be done in another week, so I'll cut it off, and try my experiment with the Daikon Radishes, and got a hand full of Cow Peas for a cover crop. Daikons for aeration, and retrieve nutrients. The Cow Peas for organic matter. Both will be killed off by the cold weather, so hope they get a chance to grow some. I'm sure the deer will work on them some over the winter too.

A buddy of mine that sells produce at local farm markets planted some winter potatoes last year, and they did very well. He planted I believe in late Oct. then mulched them with about 18" of leaves. They actually did pretty well, and formed potatoes over the winter under that mulch, and no tops until Spring. I'd heard of it, but never done it. He always sells them as new potatoes,and hardly ever reach full maturity. He still has 500 lbs to plant here in the next couple of weeks. He's pretty sure there is time for them to make the small size he's looking for. I don't think that they would keep well long term, but, dug, and used quickly they seem to do well.

Thanks for the replies guys. You've got me encouraged to at least try some extra Fall planting. I will be planting some garlic this Fall and I think I have plenty of time to get my brussels sprouts and lettuce in the ground for a harvest.

I have a couple raised beds with 100% yard compost and EVERYTHING grows like crazy in that stuff. I have the best carrots I've ever had this year. In fact, they grew too much (actually I didn't harvest them early enough) and they are huge! I prefer them to be much smaller but it's like I checked them one week and they were too small and then a week or so later, they are jumbo size. Still delicious though.

Thanks for your input guys. I need to get out there and plant something.

Tom-machinery-idiot said:

Flint I assume you're asking me. It's interesting how things work. My sister lives in Colorado 1200 miles away and her season is like yours. It'll freeze here sometimes late November. Depends on the year. Some years we don't worry about a freeze until mid December or so. Seems like not long ago it was in the 80's here and she still had snow on the ground. Throughout August our problem down here is the sun and heat. I may have to drape something over the tomato cages to shade them and water a lot. I've never grown fall corn so this year is an experiment for me.

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I was wondering about your corn. Looks like when it first comes up the scorching heat will melt it. I hear there is a lot of 100 degree days in AUGUSTa on the way. Did you have moisture in your 4000sq ft of ground when you planted because it has not rained in over a month.

RDR said:

I planted the corn not long before dark. It was 98 this afternoon so I stayed in the house. I'll start watering tomorrow morning.

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Yikes!
I'm melting just thinking about that heat.
We had a couple of days near 90 here and with the humidity, it was terrible. I was inside hiding with the AC on.
:hide:

I flood the rows and water once a week. When the dirt is loose the water soaks all of the way through and wicks to the top. Since it was windy today the tops of the rows dried out some. I might have to water again tomorrow to get the corn up. Last time I planted when it was hot it was up in 3 days.

The 2 row corn planter is in pieces in the corner of the barn. If there is a spring garden it doesn't take long to put it back together.

I took a chance and planted my corn a couple weeks ago. It's hot but not as hot as some years. I water a lot and the plants are about 6" now They look good and thus far no heat wilt during the day. I have no idea the species of corn this is. It's an heirloom non GMO second generation from the spring corn. I have a assortment of vegetables which have been transplanted and so far so good. This is an experiment for me.