By Barbara Pleasant | August 24, 2023
As summer winds down and the days grow shorter, you might think it’s time to put away your gardening tools. Not so fast! Autumn provides a fantastic opportunity to take on meaningful garden projects that prepare your space for the next growing season. Here are three impactful ideas to make the most of the crisp fall weather and your garden’s potential.
1. Grow a “Snake” of Salad Crops
Fall is perfect for growing quick salad greens like arugula, lettuce, and spinach. A smart way to ensure success is to plant these crops alongside a soaker hose, which delivers water directly to the soil. This method prevents the hard crust that can form with overhead watering and keeps seeds consistently moist—a key factor for germination.
How to Get Started:
- Prepare a planting bed for your greens.
- Lay a soaker hose along the bed, securing it with weights. If using drip tape, arrange at least two parallel lines.
- Turn on the water to adjust the wetting pattern, ensuring even coverage.
- Sow seeds in bands 1–3 inches (2–7 cm) away from the hose.
Water briefly in the morning and evening, especially while the seeds are germinating. With consistent moisture, you’ll soon have a lush “snake” of fresh salad greens ready to harvest.
2. Boost Tomatoes with Hairy Vetch
If you’re planning next year’s tomato crop, consider planting hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) as a cover crop. This approach has been scientifically proven to increase tomato yields, reduce the need for fertilizer, and improve resistance to pests and diseases.
How It Works:
- Sow hairy vetch in September in the area where tomatoes will be planted next year.
- The vetch will grow slowly through the winter and surge with new growth in the spring.
- About 2–3 weeks before planting tomatoes, cut the vetch at the soil line and let it dry into a nutrient-rich mulch.
Tips for Success:
- Use the dried vetch as mulch around your tomato plants to conserve moisture and feed the soil.
- Ensure the soil stays consistently moist after planting tomatoes to encourage nutrient release from the decaying vetch.
This system not only improves soil health but also sets your tomatoes up for a stellar growing season.
3. Double Dig a New Bed
For gardeners looking to expand their planting space, double digging is an age-old method to improve soil aeration, drainage, and rooting depth. This technique, dating back over a thousand years, was even promoted during World War II as part of the “Dig for Victory” campaign.
The Double-Digging Process:
- Remove the top 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) of soil and set it aside.
- Use a digging fork to loosen the compacted subsoil as deeply as possible.
- Mix compost into the loosened subsoil.
- Replace the topsoil and level the surface.
Why It Works:
Double-dug beds allow more air into the soil, boosting microbial activity and improving plant growth. To keep the benefits intact, avoid stepping on the beds and use mulches like straw or grass clippings to protect against soil compaction.
This labor-intensive method is well worth the effort. Once complete, the beds can be prepared for planting with simple hand tools and will deliver long-lasting rewards.
Wrap-Up
These three projects—planting salad crops, growing hairy vetch, and double digging—can transform your garden this fall. Whether you’re extending your harvest, enriching your soil, or preparing for future success, autumn is the perfect time to dig in and make a difference in your garden.
Happy gardening!