Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Fall Gardening

This year, the gardens in our area have been challenging.  With too much rain, many gardens were devastated.  In speaking to Joe about it on the phone, he asked if I knew what vegetables, if any, could be grown in our area for a late fall harvest.  I haven't planted a fall garden in Oklahoma before, so I did a search on the internet.   I used the search terms of "fall vegetable garden Oklahoma".   I found that   Oklahoma's Cooperative Extension Service has a wonderful, detailed paper called "Fall Gardening (#HLA-6009).   Their fact sheets are available at: http://osufacts.okstate.edu

In reading the paper, I found that most every vegetable that you would plant in the early spring can also be grown for a late fall harvest.  There were charts which give planting dates, instructions on how to plant, and estimated number of days until harvest.  The varieties were also separated by the "tender" crops which need protection from frost, and the "semi-hardy" crops that can handle a few frosts.

What a blessing!  I am now ordering more organic seed since all of my other seeds were drowned in the rains.  It is a shame that I cannot just buy the seed at a store this time of year.  It is humbling to realise that had I known to plant again in early July, I could have started another complete garden.  Now that I have the information, I will be better prepared next year.  I will buy enough seed for 2 plantings.  This will double our harvest on the good years.  On the wet years like this one, it will give us a good fall harvest to make up for the loss of any plants the spring storms may have damaged.

I printed out the paper, also one for spring gardens, and added them to my Gardening Notebook.  I may also check to see if they have any papers on "over wintering".  Over wintering is planting specific crops late in the season that will be ready to harvest in spring.  Garlic, Leeks, & Onions are among the things you can plant in late fall.  As soon as the ground is warm enough in the spring, the plants will grow and give you a jump-start on your gardening season.

I encourage you to check and see if there is information available for your areas.  You may be surprised to find tips on how to extend your gardening season or how to get 2 full plantings like we can do here.  For those with large families, who preserve their harvest through canning, freezing or dehydrating, this can really increase your pantry stores.  It can also be a income source for those who wish to sell the surplus that they don't need.

God's Blessings be with you.

I will have to check that out

10:43, Wednesday, July 25, 2007 .. Posted by Sara

Gardening is something new to me this year. I've got two large tomato plants growing in pots and have lots of little green tomatoes growing. I've also got a strawberry plant that isn't producing much. We rent, so It will be easier to keep things in pots, but I'm looking to increase our gardening every year, and it's nice to know I can plant through the fall. Do you have any other books or websites you can suggest to someone new to gardening? Thanks a bunch!

Sara

P.S. How are you feeling? I pray you aren't having trouble with morning sickness.Have you gone to the doctor yet? Well, talk to you later.