Summer may be winding down, but gardening season is far from over in Fayetteville! September is a great time to transition the vegetable garden from heat-loving summer crops to vegetables that thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall.
With our relatively mild North Carolina fall weather, there are plenty of vegetables that can keep your garden productive well beyond summer.
Make Room for Cool-Season Vegetables
As tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and other summer crops begin to decline, start clearing out plants that are no longer producing well.
Removing old or diseased plant material gives you a clean slate for fall planting and can also help reduce the number of pests and diseases left behind in the garden.
Plant Your Leafy Greens
Cooler temperatures are perfect for many leafy greens. Lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, mustard greens, and Swiss chard are all great choices for a fall vegetable garden.
Many greens actually perform better as temperatures cool, making them a welcome change after trying to keep vegetables happy through the heat of a Fayetteville summer.
Don’t Forget Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower
Fall is also the season for members of the cabbage family. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and similar crops prefer cooler growing conditions and can be excellent additions to the fall garden.
Starting with healthy transplants can give you a head start, especially when planting later in the season.
Try Some Root Vegetables
Carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips are another group worth making room for this fall.
Radishes are especially fun because many varieties mature quickly, making them a great choice if you’re looking for something you can harvest relatively soon.
Give Your Soil a Little Attention
Summer vegetables can take a lot out of the soil. Before planting your fall garden, remove weeds and old plant material and work some organic matter into the bed if needed.
Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive vegetable garden, no matter the season.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
Don’t let the word “fall” fool you—September can still be hot in Fayetteville. Newly planted seeds and transplants may need extra attention during warm, dry stretches.
Keep the soil consistently moist while seeds are germinating and help new transplants stay adequately watered as they establish.
Keep Your Garden Growing This Fall
One of the best things about gardening in North Carolina is that the growing season doesn’t have to end when summer does. With the right crops and a little planning, your garden can continue producing fresh vegetables well into the cooler months.