Fall gardening in Southeast Texas doesn’t start when the weather finally feels like fall. You have to start preparing while it’s still hot.
In this episode of The Compost Pile, David and Aaron talk about making the transition from a stressed late-summer garden into a productive fall garden in Zone 9. We break down what you can start planting now, what should wait for cooler weather, and why following a planting calendar without paying attention to actual conditions can set your garden up for failure.
We cover broccoli, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard, mustard greens, turnips, radishes, beets, squash, pumpkins, lettuce and more, including which crops can handle lingering summer heat and which ones are better saved for later.
We also discuss:
- Starting fall crops from seed vs. direct sowing
- How hot, dry soil affects seed germination
- Using shade to protect young fall transplants
- Why broccoli and other brassicas can struggle in our climate
- Choosing varieties based on days to maturity
- Taking advantage of a second warm-season crop
- When to plant root crops and leafy greens
- Growing more of the crops you actually eat and preserve
- Preparing depleted garden soil after a long, hot summer
- Rebuilding soil biology, minerals and overall soil health before planting
The biggest takeaway? Successful fall gardening in Zone 9 is about more than a date on the calendar. Watch the weather, understand your garden, choose the right crops, and prepare your soil before asking it to produce another season.
If your summer garden is struggling in the August heat, now is the time to start planning what comes next.
The Compost Pile — breaking down gardening, homesteading and more to help you become more successful in the garden.
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