The month of September is a transition period for the edible garden. Warm weather crops continue to produce, as cool weather crops make a start. The season of fall brings a new variety of garden grown foods to be enjoyed.
Foods that can be planted throughout the month of September include:
Radish
Kale
Leafy greens
Beets
English and French peas
Podded peas
Turnips
Spinach
Parsley
Cilantro
Carrots can be planted until Septmeber 5th.
Butterhead lettuce, leeks, and onion seeds can be planted until September 10th.
Leaf lettuce, Romaine lettuce, Cos, and beets can be planted until September 15th. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower can be transplanted until September 15th.
Most of the foods listed above are easy to start from seed. Due to the high temperatures in the north Texas region, seeds can be started in small pots. This method can ensure protection from the afternoon sun. Once the plants reach a larger size, they can safely be moved into the vegetable garden.
Fall is a great season for growing vegetables in containers. Once the weather cools off, the pots will not have to be watered so much. Several of the above mentioned foods can do well in containers, such as beets, radish, lettuce, leafy greens, kale, parsley, and cilantro. Vegetables do great potted in compost, especially home-made compost.
References: Vegetable Planting Dates for North Texas, The GAIA Book of Organic Gardening
Local Resource
Botanical Interests seeds and organic Lorz Italian garlic, can be ordered through Fort Worth company, Happy Gardens. The first order for the fall will be placed on August 31st, 2010.
Email orders to info@happygardens.net or place an order through Happy Gardens’ Facebook page.
See Botanical Interests catalog
The information on Lorz Italian garlic below was provided by Happy Gardens:
Fall is the time to plant garlic. Garlic planting stock differs in quality from the garlic meant for consumption.
We are going to order certified organic Lorz Italian garlic.
It was imported from Italy during the late 19th century to the Columbia River Basin area where it is widely grown. Does well with hot summers and picks up quite a bit of that heat, as it has a very robust flavor. Up to 5 clove layers with as many as 15-18 cloves.
Softneck varieties are easy to grow and tolerate a wide variety of climate conditions and are especially good for warmer climates. The bulbs can be rather large with multiple layers of cloves. They have superior shelf life, and under proper conditions can be stored for up to 9 months. And they have some wonderful and pungent flavors. Planted bulbs generally yield 5-8 times their weight at harvest. A half pound will provide cloves for 20-30 plants. Hint: Plant the biggest cloves, and eat the rest.
Garlic is $32 per pound. Minimum order 1/4 lb, shipping fee only $2.50 or free if you're willing to pick up.
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