So when I read around the garden blogosphere that there are fall crops too, I was like, "Whattttt???? People do this again for the fall??". LOL! Growing up, I remember as a kid my dad only having a summer garden, I don't recall him ever doing a second round of gardening for the fall. The thought of spending more money on the garden this year is definitely draining. So I thought, let me find some ways to save money, I read around the blogs people exchanging seeds. Heck, I grew all my vegetable plants for the summer, I guess I can do that for the fall too! OMG, am I really saying this? Seedlings taking over my life all over again! haha
I found a garden blogger that was doing a seed exchange, so I am putting together my first seed exchange, and I am so excited. I'm exchanging my seeds for some Parisian Carrots, Iceberg, Greek Basil and Green Zebra tomatoes. Score! Here are my little packets getting ready to go out in the mail tomorrow.
I want to try the carrots and iceberg for my fall crops. Does anyone know, can you do tomatoes as a fall crop?
Is anyone else interested in doing a seed exchange. This is what I have.
Marigold
Blue Lake Pole Beans
Detroit Dark Red Beets
Roma Tomatos
Melting Sugar Snow Peas
Chinese Mustard Greens
I also have Long Island Cheese Squash (pumpkin) and Acorn Squash that I saved from squash from my in-laws farm. I am not sure if all the seeds will germinate, but I can provide 20 squash seeds each for you to experiment.
Wether tomatoes can be planted in the fall depends on when your first frost date is and how long the tomatoes have until they are mature. You need to ask gardeners in your area what garden zone you are in and when your first and last frost dates are. I'm in zone three which means my first frost date is around the beginning of September. I planted lettuce collards chard and spinach 2 weeks ago for a later harvest. That is all I can manage because all of these crops can be eaten when thy are immature. Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteTomatoes wouldn't be a good choice for fall, unless you plan to grow a small patio type indoors. Carrots are iffy, but can overwinter. You might get some small ones if you plant them right away. I'm toying with planting a few that can be under protection for winter, but I need to get in gear and get them planted asap. I'm guessing your first frost is about the same as mine, middle October. Check the seed packets for how long from planting to harvest, then count back from your first frost date to see if you have enough time.
ReplyDeleteHere are a couple of on line tools that can help you.
http://www.chestnut-sw.com/growform.htm
http://bioarray.us/Skippy%27s%20fall%20planting%20calendar.html
If you're in zone 7 NYC, tomatoes would not be a good idea. If you plan on growing beets, carrots or broccoli, do it now. Here is my Fall Seed starting schedule if you're interested:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.agrowingtradition.com/2010/06/soft-neck-garlic-and-fall-winter-seed.html
Granted I'll be using season extenders like fabric and plastic row cover to prolong the fall growing season. Good luck!
We usually don't get a frost here in MS until November. Some years we are running around in tank tops at Thanksgiving and XMAS. You gotta luv the South.
ReplyDeleteWe plant our fall tomatoes right now. I just replanted zuchinni and bought more 6 week, pink eye, purple hull peas yesterday to plant this weekend.
What a fun idea! I have been collecting seeds from some of my perennials this year -- I mean to do this every year, but just don't seem to get around to it until it is too late! I have Bee Balm (Monarda), and Coreoposis (Tick Seed).
ReplyDeleteI want to try a few fall crops this year, too. Never done this before. As far as tomatoes, these are pretty much a summer crop in Arkansas (Zone 7b). I'm hoping to try my hand at lettuces, chard, broccoli. Fingers crossed!
I think you will find that your garden expenses will be significantly less as you go on. Your seed packets are adorable by the way!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to see the colorful seed packets on their way to us :)
ReplyDeleteThey're much nicer than the white paper packets I made and contain so much more info. If you need the "how-to-grow these" info once you receive the seeds, let me know...
You know I love this idea... count me in!
ReplyDeleteI get most of my tomato seeds free from WinterSown Org. All you have to do is send an SASE to them, with your choice of six varieties. It's a good way to try them. For a $5 donation, you can get ten varieties.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/YourChoiceTomatoSASE.html
Are you sure the pumpkin and squash seeds were not cross-pollinated? Unless you hand pollinated and bagged the flowers that produced the fruit that you collected you seeds from, you can't be sure that these seeds will come true to type.
ReplyDelete