Lettuce may bolt and taste bitter when grown in the heat.
Or make plans to attend the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's Fall Plant Sale, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Plants are less stressed by the heat, more likely to develop a strong root system and gardeners will be way ahead of the game next spring” said Bob Henrickson, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum horticulture program coordinator.
There are a few really nice things about a fall garden. First, you can start over with a clean planting area if weeds took over while you were on vacation. A quick tilling takes care of them. The cool, short days of fall results in sweet, mild flavor for many vegetables, when compared to plants Missing: Malcolm NE.
Garlic planted in September produces the biggest bulbs the following July. After harvesting a late-maturing crop, you can plant garlic in that space. Before sowing these second crops, turn over the soil and mix in some balanced fertilizer to replace what earlier plants have used bushlopping.clubg: Malcolm NE. Unfortunately, our midwestern climate is unpredictable, and even the toughest plants may die if fall or early winter weather is severe or erratic.
But if healthy, vigorous plants are chosen, if proper post-planting care is given, and if slow-to-establish species are avoided, fall planting of trees and shrubs can be as successful as spring bushlopping.clubg: Malcolm NE. The warm days and cool nights in fall make it the perfect season to plant shrubs, giving them time to settle in and spread their roots before going dormant in winter. Moderate autumn temperatures make it easier on a hard-working gardener, too.
This is the time to plant Knock Out roses, known for disease resistance and constant bushlopping.clubg: Malcolm NE.