S. I want to start a garden this fall but I'm not sure what to plant. What can be saved now? Is it time to start on that winter squash?
a. Despite their name, winter squashes, like summer squashes and pumpkins, are planted in the summer after all danger of frost has passed. They are called winter squashes because they can be picked, processed, and then stored for the winter.
However, there are many cool-season vegetables that grow in cool climates and do well in the fall garden. These include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, scallions, scallions, garlic, and strong spices like thyme and chives. Some of these species are best planted earlier, but lettuce, garlic, watercress, and cabbage can still be grown from seed or garlic from bulbs.
We have 60-70 days before heavy snow falls in the Sacramento Valley. If you plant now, you can get a good harvest from most herbs.
When planting from seed, it's important to check the bed several times to make sure the top few inches of soil don't dry out. Due to warm fall temperatures and low humidity, the soil can dry out quickly. When this happens, it can kill seeds sown directly into the ground. To avoid this, plant the seeds covered or plant them in a shallow hole covered with old boards or cardboard until the seeds germinate.
Before you plant your fall garden, be sure to drip or spray water it if you don't already have one. With proper watering, your garden is unlikely to dry out on hot fall days. You can stop watering after a steady rain, but usually the long dry season of January means you have to water the plants every winter.
You may also want to set up some form of freeze protection, such as B. Your garden beds, which you can cover with a snow cloth or old blanket before the frost hits. This can extend your harvest before fall frosts and is very easy to do before planting.
If you live in an area where night temperatures drop below 40 degrees, you can cover the seedlings overnight. Try using gallon-sized milk cans with the bottoms cut off and covered with a towel or sheet to encourage faster growth. This prevents frost and prolongs harvest time in the fall.
More : How to Care for Your Meyer Lemon During a Heat Wave and Prevent Green Fruit from Dropping
Some cool-season crops are planted in late winter or early spring, such as spinach and peas, or root vegetables, such as beets and carrots.
For guidance on when to plant different vegetables from seed, check out our gardener's growing guide at https://bit.ly/2smhoUk
The Shasta Master Gardeners program can be contacted by calling 530-242-2219 or emailing mastergardener@shastacollege.edu. The Office of Gardeners employs volunteers trained at the University of California to answer gardeners' questions with information based on scientific research.
This article originally appeared on Red Reading Searchlight: Plant your fall garden now before the first frost hits.
