There’s nothing quite like a vine-ripened tomato or zucchini fresh from your own garden. Growing a vegetable garden isn’t difficult, but it does require commitment of time and energy.

Start small and grow your garden as your skills, knowledge and space permit. Whether your garden is in the ground or in containers, success starts with rich, healthy soil.

Fall is around the corner, but you don’t have to give up fresh produce from your garden. Fall gardens can be very successful in Mississippi because of our climate.

Tomatoes, okra, peppers and eggplant from your summer garden will keep producing into the fall, up to the first killing frost. If your plants have had enough of this summer’s brutal heat, you can plant new produce for a fall harvest. Just be sure to give the plants enough time to develop before cool weather arrives.

Chinese cabbage, rutabagas and cilantro perform better in fall gardens. Plants like broccoli, kale, spinach, and parsley also love cool weather and can produce for several months, especially if we have a mild winter.

Be sure to watch out for insects and diseases. They can still wreak havoc on a fall garden, so be alert for any issues.

There are many more vegetables you can grow in a fall garden. For more information about fall gardening, download our comprehensive vegetable gardening guide, Extension Publication 3616, “Mississippi Vegetable Gardener’s Guide.”

Source: extension.msstate.edu