Sanitize and Sow

As hot summer days take us breathlessly toward the end of August, it’s time to start the next phase of your three-season garden. First, completely clean out spent or dead plants from the areas of your plot designated for your fall planting. If you suspect the removed plant material harbors pests or diseased portions, don’t put it in the compost bins where it could be passed along. Bag and dispose of it properly. Prepare the cleared portions of your garden by adding compost and a bit of slow-release fertilizer such as cottonseed meal, then work them it to prepare for the next plantings.

As we head toward cool season gardening, begin weekly successional planting of lettuce – mesclun and salad mixes are good choices to direct sow. Then as soil temperatures drop over the coming month, plant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards and kale seedlings or onions, along with the lettuce.

We are very fortunate to live in a region where three-season gardening is possible. Take advantage of it and enjoy cool season harvesting!

-Carol Hassell