Our Ark team is busy as we enter in to fall – it is a family affair – we diligently work on harvesting seeds from our heirloom plants for your seed kits. Specifically seeds from squash, melons, peppers, tomatoes, beans, lettuce, and herbs will be picked and prepped to be ready for incoming orders.
October in the Garden
For some, the last harvest of the summer is a sigh of relief after the watering, weeding and worrying throughout the season. However, for many of us, the threat of not having fresh produce adds to the feeling of seasonal sadness. Rest assured to our produce fanatics that there are some crops (some of which included in the Ark Seed Kit!) that are ideal for fall and winter gardening.
There are several cold crops that can grow into the fall, even past the first snow. The fall is actually the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. There’s an old gardener’s saying that when the leaves start to fall, it’s time to plant new trees. This gives them time to establish their roots before the ground freezes. If you live in a cooler zone, plant in early autumn before the first frosts.
Brussel Sprouts – start seeds indoors 12 to 14 weeks before the first frost in autumn for harvest after the first frost. The ideal time to harvest Brussels sprouts is after the first fall frost.
Kale – Cold-hardy and frost-resilient, kale is easy to grow. While you can theoretically get away with growing kale most of the year, you’ll enjoy the best flavor when you plant it in the fall. Kale will become wonderfully sweet and a little nutty when it experiences cooler temperatures and even a light frost.
Spinach – We love that we can harvest spinach in our garden all winter long! You should start planting spinach 8 weeks before your first frost date and you can continue up until 2 weeks before your first frost date!
Beets – If you want to harvest the roots, aim for planting about 4-6 weeks before your first expected frost. If you are growing in a warmer zone, say Zone 9, you’ll be able to leave them in the ground throughout the winter. Lucky you.
Garlic – One of the best crops to plant in October is garlic. Indeed, this is a must-have as October will produce the best and largest garlic come harvest time.
Once you’ve settled on the varieties you wish to plant, do further research on fertilizing, mulching, and any other special needs to help those crops thrive.
