It’s the end of July which means summer is nearly over and you haven’t started planting yet…. Uh oh. Sounds like a disaster, right? Nope! There are plenty of plants that are best suited to thrive in the late summer months! In order to produce the best fall garden, it’s important to pull out all of your summer favorites and prepare some hardy, cool-season vegetables to plant in late summer.
Carrots
Carrots can actually be planted just about every three weeks, but it’s best to begin planting in late July, early August. This will ensure that the seeds have the best chance of producing carrots come fall. Plant carrots in rows that are 1 to 2 weeks apart with seeds ½ inches deep. About one pound of carrots will grow in each row, so you wan to plant at least 5 to 10 feet of row to have enough to table use. Make sure that soil is softened and aerated so that your carrots grow long and straight, then fertilize the soil. Use one cup of 10-20-10 for every 10 feet and rake to make sure that your soil and fertilizer are evenly distributed.
Cauliflower
Wild cabbages like cauliflower, kale, collard greens, kale, and turnips are great to grow in the late summer. Cauliflower should be planted in late August and early September (aka six to eight weeks before the first fall frost.) Pick a spot with at least six hours of sunlight a day as these veggies love to soak up the sun.
To plant these properly, it’s best to add compost to the soil to add life. Well fertilized soil will ensure that you produce one single head of cauliflower rather than many small ones. Rows should be about 3 to 6 inches apart and between a quarter and a half-inch deep if you’re planting seeds. That said it’s best to plant transplants, which should be stationed 18 to 24 inches apart with 30 inches between each row. These plants require regular waterings, though mulch can be used to lock-in additional moisture on interim days.
Broccoli
As another Brassica oleracea, broccoli is perfect to plant in the late summer months. This “crown jewel of nutrition” thrives in cooler weather, so mid-to-late August is the perfect time to plant. Before depositing seeds, make sure that you add compost or manure to the soil to replace any lost nutrients or minerals from your last crop. You want your soil to be slightly acidic so that you can produce the best plant. Seeds should be half an inch deep and 12 to 24 inches apart. Multiple rows of broccoli should have 36 inches between them so that the vegetable has enough space to grow. Three weeks after planting, make sure that you fertilize the area and keep the soil moist if the crowns are growing in full sun!
Radishes
Radishes are hardy and easy to grow vegetables. While the weather is cool, you can plant radishes every ten days. This will ensure that you develop and maintain a regular harvest of healthy radishes. Radish seeds need lots of sun and should be planted ½ an inch deep into the soil, 1 inch apart. Soil should be rich in organic matter, not compacted, and promote adequate drainage. Make sure that you till your garden before you plant, and evenly moisturize your soil.
Onions
Onions are hardy in cold weather, which makes them perfect for late-summer planting. Place them in a place with lots of sun and keep other plants out of the way. Soil for onions must be nitrogen-rich, well-drained, and loose and you should fertilize bulbs until they begin to appear above the soil. Onion plants must be spaced 4 to 6 inches apart with rows 1 to 2 feet apart. For smart planing, onion sets should be used and planted one-inch deep. Once they’re planted, you should also trim the top about 4 inches and water them about one inch each week! Onions should be unearthed as bulbs enlarge. This air exposure firms up the papery skin, which prevents rot.
July may almost be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join in on gardening. There are so many vegetables to plant in late summer months so that they grow optimally! Of course, while you’re planning, your garden and outdoor living space generally, consider using Top Soil Pros for all of your topsoil needs.
