Despite July’s heat, now is the time to begin preparing for a fall garden, guest speaker Taylor Meason told gardeners during the Wood County Master Gardeners’ monthly Lunch and Learn.
Meason presented “Cool Down and Grow On” Thursday, July 23. Meason said she was focused on helping gardeners take advantage of East Texas’ long growing season by planning and planting for fall before cooler weather arrives.
“Don’t let your calendar tell you when your garden season is over. In East Texas, some of our best harvests are still ahead of us,” Meason said.
She explained that while many gardeners consider summer the end of the growing season, East Texans can continue planting vegetables well into the fall. Cooler temperatures, fewer insect pests and reduced watering needs make the season ideal for many crops.
Meason said warm soil combined with cool air creates ideal growing conditions for fall gardens.
Using an East Texas planting calendar, Meason outlined what gardeners can plant during the coming months. Tomatoes and peppers can be planted in late July, followed by beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale in August. September is the time to plant lettuce and root crops such as carrots, beets and radishes, while garlic and onions are typically planted in October for harvest the following spring.
Meason also encouraged gardeners to stagger their planting schedule instead of planting everything at once.
“Don’t try to plant your entire garden in one weekend. A successful fall garden is built one planting at a time,” she said.
Much of the presentation focused on building healthy soil. Meason discussed the characteristics of sandy, clay and loam soils and recommended improving existing soil with compost, leaves, aged organic matter and worm castings.
“The goal isn’t to have perfect soil; it’s to improve the soil you already have,” she said.
Meason said healthy gardens begin with healthy living soil, explaining that earthworms and beneficial microorganisms improve soil structure, increase water retention and support plant growth.
“Healthy gardens don’t begin with fertilizers; they begin with life,” she said.
She also encouraged gardeners to begin cleaning up summer gardens by removing diseased plants, pulling weeds before they go to seed and applying organic mulch to conserve moisture while improving soil over time.
Meason said gardeners are most successful when they work with nature instead of against it.
“One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make is trying to force a vegetable to grow in the wrong season. Success comes from planting with nature, not against it,” she said.
She closed the program by encouraging gardeners to start where they are.
“Don’t wait for the perfect garden. Start with the space you have and improve it one season at a time,” she said.
Attendees received East Texas planting calendars and other gardening handouts following the presentation.
The Wood County Master Gardeners’ next Lunch and Learn will be held Thursday, Aug. 27, noon, at the First Assembly of God Church in Quitman, and will focus on growing and caring for indoor houseplants.