When you think vegetables you might think spring is the time to plant them but, you CAN plant some veggies in the fall with great results. Many of the leafy greens like Swiss chard, kale, and lettuce as well as cole crops like broccoli and cabbage love the cooler temperatures.
Edible Vegetables for Your Gourmet Garden
Lettuce, cabbage, kale and Swiss Chard are a few vegetables ready for planting at The Growing Place. ‘All Star Gourmet Lettuce Mix’ is a blend that offers ruffled edges, interesting texture and a fancy appearance. ‘Golden Acre’ Cabbage matures early with a 5-6” round head and mild flavor. The oak-looking leaves of ‘Red Russian’ Kale are large yet tender and have a red tinge. ‘Rhubarb Red’ Swiss Chard is easy to grow with a mild, sweet flavor. For all of our edible plants locally grown in our greenhouses, we only use products that are approved for organic gardening and we do not sell or grow genetically modified seeds or plants.
Ornamental Vegetables for Attractive Containers
Grown in full sun to part shade, lettuce can also be added to a container garden. Kale loves full sun and comes in many shapes and sizes, making an excellent addition to container design or long-lasting color in a border garden. A fun fact about kale: the colder the weather, the brighter the color. The red stems and large leaves of Swiss chard add vertical color to planters kept in full sun to part shade. Ornamental peppers make a fun filler for colorful pops of color in white, yellow, orange, red, purple and black. All ornamental vegetables purchased in fall from The Growing Place are cold tolerant and can last until frost.
Edible Herbs for Porch Pots and Windowsills
All of our herbs are grown using only products approved for organic growing and are non-GMO as well. Fresh herbs can be harvested and frozen for later use in cooking. When grown outdoors, they are an important nectar source for beneficial pollinators and most are deer and rabbit resistant. They add fragrance and deter pests when planted with annuals and perennials in containers and gardens.
Herb gardening doesn’t need to end with the onset of cool weather because herbs can be grown on a windowsill indoors. Move existing plants into the house before the heat is turned on and place near a window that receives 5-6 hours of sunshine. Herbs that must be winterized indoors in Zone 5 include Bay Lemon Verbena, Pineapple Sage, Rosemary and Scented Geraniums. Herbs that are fairly easy to grow indoors include Basil, Bay, Burnet, Chives, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Savory, Scented Geraniums and Thyme.
