Growing Greens In the Fall

You may remember that I shared this photo of the garden that my son built. It was a big project, and he didn't finish it until the end of the summer. Although he has never gardened before, he was pleased to find out that he could actually still attempt to grow some fall crops before closing shop for the winter.

Someone gifted him the sign 

Although the days are shorter and the air is crisper, fall offers a wonderful opportunity to plant a garden. While many think of spring as the prime planting season, autumn is perfect for growing a variety of hardy crops, especially leafy greens.

My son was a little too late to start his fall crops from seed, so he found a farm selling tiny starter plants which included lettuce, Swiss chard, carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, dandelion greens, and some herbs - all fall crops.

Vegetable Garden Now in Bloom 

It has now been 6 weeks since I first shared his plantings, and the garden is now flourishing. I went over this morning to pick lettuce, kale, dandelion greens, and Swiss chard. 

Unfortunately, his radishes and cauliflower didn't seem to want to develop: there were plants but no bulbs. It is something he will have to figure out for next growing season. 

Swiss Chard

I looked it up and the reason the radishes bulbs never developed, and it may be that they were planted too close together, the soil many be too acidic, or since it is a first time garden, the soil may not be loose enough. 

He still has a lot to learn for his spring planting, but he is enjoying the abundance of greens!

Why Plant Leafy Greens in Fall?

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, arugula, lettuces, dandelion, and Swiss chard thrive in cooler temperatures.

Leafy greens provide important health benefits: 

Nutrient-Rich Powerhouses: 

• Leafy greens are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Spinach is rich in iron, kale boasts high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, while Swiss chard provides magnesium and potassium.  
• Greens such as kale and collard greens are rich in calcium and vitamin K, important for maintaining strong bones as we age.
•  Incorporating these greens into your diet may help boost your immune system as winter approaches.

1. Quick Harvest: Many leafy greens are quick to mature, allowing you to enjoy fresh produce in just a few weeks. This is especially rewarding in the fall, when the first frost can sweeten the leaves, enhancing their flavor.

Storing My Pickings

Since I only go to his garden once a week, I needed to know how long the greens would stay fresh in the refrigerator. This is what I found to help them maintain their freshness: 

• Lettuce: up to 1 week. Store in a plastic bag or container to retain moisture.
• Swiss Chard: up to 1 week. Wrap loosely in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag.
• Spinach:up to  5-7 days. Keep it in a breathable bag in the vegetable drawer.
• Dandelion Greens: up to 3-5 days. Store similarly to spinach for best results.
• Kale: up to 5-7 days. Use a perforated bag to maintain humidity without causing rot.

Kale 

Anti- Inflammatory Salad - this is a wonderful fall salad made with lettuce, kale, chickpeas, celery, red cabbage, roasted butternut squash and some other vegetables. Why not try it? It's a powerhouse of nutrients and tastes delicious.  It goes great with a bowl of quick and easy carrot ginger soup.

Do you plant a garden? Do you re-plant crops for the fall? Any suggestions on the radishes?