It is that time of year in South Louisiana to plan the fall garden. For many up north, or even in northern Louisiana, that would have been in August. But we tend to have such high and dry air that August becomes a tug of war with Mother Nature. So, I only work with the dirt in my gardens to prepare it during that month.
The LSU AgCenter has a variety of information on how and when to plant your garden, and I will make out some cliff notes on this mixed with a bit of personal experience.
As for the patio gardening I wrote about with such high hopes? Epic fail with the tomatoes and peppers. I will say I did get an extra few weeks of vegetables being just outside my door so that when the weeds and insects began hitting the garden my planters were easily maintained.
However, once the dead heat set in and the dry afternoons blasted the cement, the plants literally baked in the sun. I think and I plan to drape a shade cloth over that section of the patio in hopes of making this area more tolerable for both plants and people so one cannot fry an egg there by 1:00 pm.
So, here is a rundown of what my research has found, coming from the LSU Ag Center.
Lima beans, both pole and bush types, can be planted statewide through the end of the month. This is also a good time to plant eggplants and okra. I personally would recommend starting seeds in small cups on a back or front porch because it is just too hot and dry.
However, by September English peas and pumpkins can be planted by September 15. That will not give you Halloween pumpkins. Those seeds need to be planted in June. And from my experience it is actually cheaper to just buy the pumpkins for that holiday because unless you have an entire field good luck making that happen. I have failed three years straight. Heat, weeds, and insects are just too rampant for our summers. Bush type snap beans may be planted by the months end.
In October gardening fun really kicks in. We can plant broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower by October 15th in south Louisiana. Chinese cabbage, Swiss chard, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, rutabagas, turnips for root production and collard, mustard and turnip greens, carrots and celery can be planted as well.
In November beets and spinach can be planted by November 15th. Cabbage and garlic can be planted through the end of the month. By the 10th of November all mustard and turnip greens must have been planted and by November 15th carrots, kale and lettuce as well.
My favorite for the fall are herbs in my garden. These can be planted throughout most of the fall season. Cool weather herbs include anise, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, oregano and parsley.
I actually enjoy fall gardening better than the spring and summer because our weather seems to be more predictable and consistent. Our winters seldom impede with harsh freezes until mid to late December and the insects are not as invasive.
Plus, there is something about digging in cool dirt while an autumn breeze tickles the tops of your plants and there is that scent of leaf mold and burning leaves that brings back memories of decades of autumns past.
Happy Planting.
