Transitioning from Summer to Fall in the Garden
- holmesrungarden
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
As we move through mid August, many gardeners notice a shift. The strongest summer heat is behind us, but the soil is still warm and the days are long enough to keep things growing. This in between period is a golden opportunity to refresh your garden and set it up for a bountiful fall season. With a little work now, you can keep harvesting vegetables and enjoying flowers until frost.
Planting Cool Season Crops
Fall is the time for crisp greens and root vegetables. Crops like lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, and Swiss chard all thrive in cooler weather. Radishes, beets, carrots, and turnips are also excellent choices to plant now. Many of these crops germinate quickly, which means you can see sprouts within a week and enjoy harvests in just a few weeks.
Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage also do well in fall, though they may need to be started from seedlings rather than seed at this point in the season. Check your seed packets for the “days to maturity” and count backwards from your expected first frost date. This will help you decide what can still make it in time.
Refreshing the Soil
After months of supporting heavy feeders like tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers, your soil could use some care. Pull back mulch and add a layer of compost, aged manure, or other organic matter. Mixing in even a couple of inches can restore nutrients and improve soil structure.
This is also a good time to check moisture. Late summer rains can be unpredictable, so keep the soil evenly moist for germination. Adding mulch back on top after planting will help conserve water, regulate temperature, and keep weeds in check.
Clearing Out Summer Plants
It can be hard to say goodbye to plants that have been producing for months, but removing tired crops is important. Plants that are past their peak are more likely to harbor pests and diseases. Pull them up, shake the soil from their roots, and add them to your compost pile if they are healthy. If you spot signs of disease, dispose of those plants in the trash instead of composting.
As you clear space, think about crop rotation. Try not to plant the same type of vegetable in the same spot two seasons in a row. Rotating helps reduce soil borne disease and keeps nutrients in balance.
Succession Planting for Continuous Harvest
One way to keep the garden productive is through succession planting. This means sowing new seeds every couple of weeks so you always have crops at different stages of growth. For example, plant lettuce now and again in early September for a steady supply of tender leaves. Radishes mature quickly, so planting small batches every 10 days will give you crunchy roots well into the fall.
Flowers that Shine in Fall
A fall garden is not only about vegetables. Flowers bring pollinators, color, and joy. Zinnias, marigolds, and cosmos planted earlier in the summer often continue blooming into September. To extend your display, consider planting mums, asters, or pansies, which thrive in cooler weather and provide vibrant pops of color when many other plants are fading.
Cutting back tired annuals can also encourage one last flush of blooms. With a little care, your garden can remain a cheerful place even as the days get shorter.
Looking Ahead
August is also the time to think beyond this season. If you have open spaces, consider planting a cover crop such as clover or winter rye in late summer or early fall. Cover crops protect the soil from erosion, add organic matter, and improve fertility for the next growing season.
Taking a little extra time to prepare your garden now sets the stage for a strong finish to the year. Whether you are enjoying the crunch of fall carrots, watching bees visit late blooming flowers, or simply admiring your refreshed garden beds, this transition season is full of rewards.
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