10 Reasons You Need a Fall Garden

Last week I posted on "Preparing for Our Fall Garden."  Today, the rain has kept us inside, but hopefully, later this week we can get the soil tilled up and our seeds planted.  We will be growing kale, spinach, bibb lettuce, salad bowl lettuce, and broccoli. 

Whether you lack a green thumb or have a full-fledged garden, here are 10 reasons why you need a fall garden:

1. Lots of planting choices.  You may think that the only crops that grow in the fall are greens but that's not entirely true.  Besides kale, mustard and collard greens, spinach, lettuce, and Swiss chard, you can also plant broccoli, carrots, radishes, sugar snap peas, turnips, Brussels sprouts, leeks, cabbage, snow peas, and cauliflower. There are plenty of options depending on what your family likes to eat.


2. It's inexpensive. Essentially the only costs involved in planting a fall garden are the seeds or transplants, compost or humus, and fertilizer (if you choose to use it).  A packet of seeds costs less than $2 and contains more than enough seeds for one season.  I bought a 4-pack of broccoli transplants this week for $1.50; that will more than feed our family of 4.  When your produce begins to come in, then you will save money at the grocery store.

3. Cool-weather vegetables are especially hardy.  Most fall crops, particularly kale and other dark leafy greens, can withstand cold temperatures, even snow, and continue producing from fall to spring.  I even had kale coming up voluntarily this summer!  That stuff won't die!  Another cost-effective reason to plant a fall garden.


 4. Organic produce for pennies! I try to buy organic whenever I can, especially lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens that tend to be sprayed heavily with pesticides.  With a fall garden filled with my choice of leafy greens, I can control the amount of chemicals, if any, that come in contact with my plants.  That not only provides me with peace of mind, but also saves me tons of money on organics at the store, which, we all know, are ridiculously expensive.


5. Healthy food for cheap. Did you know that the veggies you plant in a fall garden are especially good for your health?  Broccoli is a known nutritional powerhouse: rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, D, & K, plus it's high in fiber; dark leafy greens are also high in fiber and have been shown to remove from the body free radicals that cause cancer; and carrot, too, are fiber-rich and specifically linked to fighting colon cancer. 



6. Make it a family affair.  Get the kids involved and the whole family can enjoy the fruits of labor when the produce is ready to harvest.  Not only are children more likely to eat what they've helped grow, but there are so many educational opportunities involved in gardening. 



7. Get some exercise.  Planting a garden is a great way to burn calories and lose weight.  From tilling up the soil to planting seeds and transplants to weeding, watering, and harvesting, there is always something to do that will get your heart pumping.  Plus, there are obvious rewards for your hard work: fresh, home-grown produce.



8. But not too much work.  Compared to a spring/summer garden, in my opinion, the fall garden is much less maintenance.  Weeds aren't as plentiful during the cooler weather, and you don't have to worry about watering everything so often.  Also, the cooler weather crops are just easier to grow. 



9. It's so easy!  Literally, dig up some ground or put some soil into a pot, sow a few seeds, water, and wait for the magic to begin again and again and again.  Honestly, after planting my seeds, the only work I ever do in my fall garden is a little light weeding and harvesting.  Sometimes the greens will become bitter from being in the soil too long, and then I just pull them and throw them into the compost.  Just remember that you want to make sure you are continually harvesting lettuce, spinach, and kale.  Think: fresh salads every day!  That's it!  It's too easy.



10. You're eating local.  Everyone is interested in eating locally grown foods, but what's more local than the food grown in your own garden?  This is "going green" at its best.


Do you plan to have a fall garden?  What will you be planting?
 

For comments or questions, contact me at: growinginhisglory@gmail.com

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