Summer to Fall Garden

August is such an interesting month in the garden because it’s really the beginning of the transition from summer to fall.

We’re still enjoying tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs and flowers, and there are plenty of warm summer days left to spend outside. But at the same time, it’s time to start thinking about what’s next and preparing the garden for a new season.

The days are slowly getting shorter, the evenings are becoming a little cooler, and before we know it, our summer garden will be winding down and our fall garden will be getting started.

I actually love this time of year because it gives us the best of both seasons. We get to enjoy the last big burst of summer while slowly clearing space, planting new crops and preparing the garden for fall.

So before you completely check out of the garden for the season, August is the perfect time to start that transition. Here are some things you can do now to keep your garden healthy, enjoy the last of summer and get it ready for a beautiful fall garden.

1. Keep Harvesting Your Summer Garden

First things first: don’t forget to enjoy the garden you already have!

August is often one of the busiest harvesting months, so keep checking your garden regularly. Tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, beans and herbs can seem to go from “not quite ready” to “how did I grow this enormous thing?” overnight.

If you have more produce than you can use, August is also a great time to preserve some of that summer goodness. Freeze it, can it, pickle it, dry your herbs or share some with a neighbor.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about eating something in October that you grew in your garden back in August.

2. Keep Watering and Deadhead Your Flowers

August can be hot and dry, so pay particular attention to containers, raised beds and newly planted areas, which can dry out much faster than established plants.

When possible, water deeply and direct the water toward the base of the plants rather than the foliage.

And don’t give up on your flowers just because they’re looking a little tired. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage many plants to produce more flowers and keeps your garden looking fresh. Remove faded blooms and cut back anything that’s becoming overgrown or flopping into walkways.

A little August cleanup can make a surprisingly big difference.

3. Clean Up Plants That Are Finished or Diseased

Take a closer look at the health of your garden and remove leaves or plant material that is clearly diseased or damaged. Once a summer plant is completely finished producing, you can remove it and make room for what’s next.

But don’t feel like you have to clear everything immediately.

I like to think of August as a transition month, not a “clean everything out” month. Some plants are still producing, some are providing food for pollinators and beneficial insects, and some simply need a little more time.

4. Start Planning Your Fall Garden

Now we get to the fun part!

If you want a fall garden, August is the time to start thinking about it. Depending on where you live, many cool-season vegetables can be planted toward the end of summer for a fall harvest.

Think about lettuce, spinach, radishes, kale, Swiss chard, arugula, carrots, beets, peas and other cool-season greens.

Your exact planting dates will depend on your growing zone and first expected frost date. Check your seed packets for the “days to maturity” and work backward from your expected first frost.

5. Make Room for Your Fall Crops

As summer crops finish, start preparing those garden beds for what’s next. Remove finished plants, clear away debris and refresh the soil with compost or other organic matter as needed.

This is one of my favorite things about gardening — one season doesn’t necessarily have to end before the next one begins.

You can almost think of your garden in layers. Summer is finishing up while fall is just getting started.

If you’re starting fall seeds, remember that some need to be planted while the weather is still warm so they have time to mature before temperatures really drop. Pay attention to moisture and protect new seedlings from intense afternoon heat when necessary.

6. Think About Your Garden’s Soil

Fall is a wonderful time to think about improving your soil for next year. Once a summer crop is finished, consider adding compost or other organic matter to replenish the soil.

If you’re not planting something immediately, you can also consider ways to protect your soil through the off-season, such as a cover crop.

Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy garden, so a little effort now can pay off next year.

7. Most Importantly, Enjoy It!

This might actually be the most important thing on the list.

Don’t get so caught up in preparing for fall that you forget to enjoy August.

Sit in your garden. Pick a tomato and eat it right there. Cut some flowers for your kitchen. Have your morning coffee outside. Watch the bees. Take pictures. Notice what’s growing.

Gardening isn’t just about producing food or having beautiful flowers. It’s about having a little piece of the world that you get to nurture and watch change throughout the year.

August is really just the bridge between summer and fall. While we’re still enjoying everything our summer garden has given us, we can quietly start preparing for what’s next.

So don’t feel like you have to rush into fall.

Harvest what you have. Plant something new. Clean up what needs cleaning. Leave some things alone. And most importantly, enjoy the garden you’re standing in right now.

Because before you know it, you’ll be standing in that same garden wearing a sweater, wondering where summer went.

LET ME KNOW!

Do you plant a fall garden? Are you willing to try this yr?

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With Love,

Melissa

P.S.

If you like this post, you might also like this one – Seven Reasons Why You Should Garden!