Time to Plan Your Fall Vegetable Garden: Top Picks for San Diego County
Choosing the Right Veggies for Your Fall Garden
With the fall season fast approaching, now is the time to plant vegetables for a fall harvest. You can even get your spring-harvested vegetables that didn’t make it another chance to grow in the fall. And guess what, many of those spring-harvested vegetables do even better when matured in cooler temperatures later in the year!
9 Fall Vegetables to Grow in Your Garden
Fall vegetables you can plant in your garden now.
Pumpkins
Nothing screams fall vegetables like pumpkins do. Of course, we all know about the good ole Jack-o-lantern pumpkins with thick skin. But there are better-tasting varieties, and these varieties have thicker flesh and thinner skin. Look for “Baby Pam” or “Long Pie” pumpkins. If you want to grow pumpkins, be sure to give them plenty of room to roam because their vines can stretch out up to 30 feet.
Winter Squash
One of the great things about winter squash is that they’re easy to store and hold their vitamin value. You can plant a wide range of winter squash, but we recommend spaghetti, acorn, butternut, buttercup, and hubbard squashes. For best results, start the squash seeds indoors and plant them out mid-summer. Winter squash also requires a lot of real estate, but you can grow them on trellises if you don’t have any space in your garden.
Carrots
For sweeter carrots, let them mature in the cooler fall soil. They should grow well if you start them from seed in loose, well-draining soil. Orange carrots are the sweetest types, so keep that in mind when choosing which type of carrot you want. There’s no need to rush pulling them because they taste best when allowed to mature fully. You’ll appreciate that you can store carrots in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Beets
Starting beets under some shade cover is recommended. However, they will need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. When beets mature in cooler soil temperatures in the fall, they will be sweeter. Beets can handle some light frost and will continue to grow until the first hard freeze.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts grow well in the fall. In fact, they’re often the last vegetable standing come wintertime. Harvest them from the bottom up. Moths and aphids like Brussels, so plant marigolds and nasturtiums to help repel those pests.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower grown in the fall produces light, tender heads. They do take a little longer to mature, so plant them now. Keep the soil moist and fertile. For best results, Fertilize regularly, especially after seedlings have true leaves. Plan to enjoy a harvest from winter through early spring.
Arugula
You can grow arugula in spring, but if the temperature is too warm, it can cause it to flower and seed prematurely. Fall is ideal—the cooler temperatures allow the leaves to mature. Take a bite and savor the full flavor!
Cucumbers
There’s no doubt that cucumbers thrive in the summer. But you can start another batch in the summer. Plant them in an area with full sun exposure. Avoid overhead watering. To prevent diseases, plant in an area with excellent air circulation. Growing them on a raised trellis makes it easier to pick them.
Bush Beans
If you’re a fan of the mild and slightly sweet flavor of bush beans, you’re in luck. Plant the seeds in August or September in well-irrigated, compost-rich soil. Bush beans can grow quickly when the temperatures are slightly cooler. Common pests are aphids, spider mites, and leafhoppers, so keep on an eye for those. One of the great benefits of growing beans, besides taste and health, is that they can boost nitrogen in areas where it’s lacking in soil.
Growing Vegetables in USDA Zones 9 and 10 is a Breeze
Once you grow your own fall vegetable garden, you can enjoy fresh salads, stir fry, or have a healthy snack. Best of all, you’ll know exactly how your food was grown!
Experience Quality Service. The Difference...Is Growing
At Westturf Landscape Management, we know that growing vegetables in your garden is deeply satisfying. We do it ourselves!
We also take satisfaction in providing exceptional landscape maintenance services. So, if you're an HOA board member or a property manager of an apartment community in Vista, Carlsbad, or anywhere in San Diego County, and are looking to upgrade landscape maintenance services, contact us today.
Call us at 760-650-3120 or message us online for a free quote.
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Do you have a landscaping project in mind? is it time for a new HOA landscaping company? Westturf Landscape Management is ready to help. We offer a wide range of services, from synthetic turf installation to weed and brush clearance and complete landscape transformations. When it comes to quality, efficient landscaping services, we have you covered.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Westturf Landscape Management
701 Mercantile Street
Vista, CA 92083
Phone: 760.650.3120