It sounds crazy, summer has not even begun and we are already preparing for our fall garden. But in order to have our broccoli, cabbage and swiss chard plants ready to plant by the middle of July, I had to start the seeds inside about two weeks ago.

I start all of my seeds in soil blocks, made from my homemade soil block mix. This year I planted 25 broccoli blocks, 15 cabbage blocks and 10 swiss chard blocks. I will keep these under my grow lights (click here to learn more about my homemade grow light stand) until a week before I am ready to plant them outside, at which point I will slowly move them outside to harden them off.
Over the last 8 years I have been unable to find anyone in our area selling broccoli and cabbage plants in the middle of the summer for planting a fall garden. That’s why I have chosen to start my own plants this year.

As for the rest of the crops in our fall garden, they will be either started at a later date or planted as a direct seed into the garden between the middle of July to the end of August.

There are several great resources available online to help you plan your fall garden, here are a two great ones:

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange: Fall Planting Guide
Johnny Select Seeds: Fall Planting Calculator

If you are thinking about a fall garden for this year don’t worry, you still have plenty of time to order seeds and start planting.

Start thinking about your fall garden, it’s a great way to increase the production from your small garden.

Stay tuned for more about our seasonal gardens.

Happy growing….