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Vegetable Gardening

Transitioning from summer garden to fall garden

13 years ago

Hey everyone! My garden is prolific this year! I'm overjoyed to be getting lots of cukes, tomatoes of different varieties, banana peppers, and now CORN! MMMMMM! :-) I've learned so much from this forum! :-)

Here is my myriad of questions (sorry!). I know it's important to cut off new blossoms on tomatoes near the end of the growing season so that it can put all of its energy into ripening the existing tomatoes. Is this also true for peppers and cukes? When do you typically do this? Any tips regarding when or how would be greatly appreciated.

I'd like to plan some fall crops, spinach and broccoli. Is it feasible to do this in mid to late August? How do you prep your soil and garden with so little time between the summer crops and the planting of the fall crops?

Thanks for taking time to read all of these questions from a noob who's trying to soak in as much as possible this year!

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Comments (3)

nancyjane_gardener
13 years ago
WOW where are you that you're finishing up your summer stuff?
I'm just getting tomatoes, cukes, zuks etc now! I'm in zone 8ish, No CA.
Our season is running about a month late, but I have at least 3 months to go.
I usually have one raised bed that finishes in time to clear for a winter bed. Usually the squash/cukes.
I also have a perenial bed that I put winter stuff in just cause I don't do very much winter stuff. I also do things such as lettuce and radishes in boxes on the deck where I don't have to go out in the mud and muck during the rainy season.
I haven't done seeds for a winter garden yet, but I'm thinking about a month fom now is about when you start from seed in my area.
I think I have a site that tells you when to do what. I'll look for it.
Happy Gardening! Nancy
bluebirdie
13 years ago
Like nancyjane, I'm also in North Cal and having a late summer crop this year. My tomato are still all green.

My plan was to start barrisca seeds in pots in August, and direct sow peas, cilantro in Sept, followed with Chard, bunching onion, etc in Oct. But this is the latest tomato season in two decades for me, so the plan may change.
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ally99
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks! I'm not wrapping up my summer garden yet. I'm just wondering when that time usually is...I'm not sure if I'll have time between the summer end of harvest to plant a fall garden. I'm hoping so! I do still have some green tomatoes. I read somewhere that at some point, a gardener should cut off all blooms on tomato plans so that the plant can put the last of its energy into ripening its current fruit. Do you guys do this? When? Thanks!

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