Kim Malstrom is a Riverside-based home gardener. She runs a small, local business, Kitchen Gardens by Kim, which assists in consulting, designing, building, and maintaining food gardens in the Riverside Area. Kim is our friend with a green thumb, and we are glad to have her as a seasonal contributor.
What are we picking? We are in the season for:
- Vegetables: Summer crops like zucchini, basil, and tomatoes are wrapping up, while fall crops are just getting started. Lettuce, cilantro, and radishes are already growing quickly as the cooler season sets in.
- Fruit: apples, avocados and oranges are ripening.
What are we planting? Fall planting is finally here! This is what you want to plant:
Vegetables:
- Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, and kale thrive in cooler weather and are relatively easy to grow. I love using the pick-and-come-again method, where I harvest just the outer leaves so the plant keeps producing rather than cutting everything at once.
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts take several months to mature, so it's best to plant them as soon as possible. Surround them with lettuce to maximize space, allowing you to grow quick crops while waiting for the larger ones to develop.
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips can be planted now and will grow steadily throughout the cooler months, making them ideal for fall and winter harvests.
- Garlic and Onions: Plant garlic cloves and onion sets now for a harvest next spring or summer. They also help repel pests, so consider planting them along the edges of your garden for added protection.
Must have Flowers for Fall planting:
- Pansies and Violas: These vibrant flowers thrive in cooler weather, adding a burst of color to your garden.
- Calendula: Perfect for cool-season planting, these blooms brighten up your space while helping fight off pests.
- Snapdragons: With the ability to tolerate mild winters, these flowers can bring color to your garden throughout the season.
- Nasturtiums: Not only are their leaves and flowers edible, but they also serve as a trap crop to protect your other plants.
Seasonal Tips
- Intermix fast-growing smaller plants such as lettuce, beets, and garlic with slower-growing larger plants like broccoli and Brussels sprouts to maximize your garden space.
- Additionally, I plant herbs, flowers, and onions along the borders of my garden to deter pests and attract beneficial pollinators.
Send questions about growing your backyard garden t0 gardening@raincrossgazette.com.
