How to Plant & Garden Vegetables in the Northwest in the Fall

Many root crops thrive through fall and into winter.

Vegetable gardens can provide reward and flexibility for gardeners, as any manner of vegetable grows in any region given the right care. Vegetables are set, though, in their growing season. Summertime veggies grow only in summertime light and warmth, and fail in winter. Planting a fall garden requires a change in plant choice and careful consideration with regard to growing zone. The mild winters through most of Washington and Oregon make fall planting and winter growing possible with some careful steps.

Things You'll Need

• Organic compost
• Fertilizer
• Spade
• Mulch
• Cloth/sheet

Instructions

1. Start your fall garden between July and October, depending on your needs. If you want to harvest veggies in fall, begin your planting three months before the first frost date in your area. This timing will range from early June in Colville, Wash. or Antelope, Ore. to late July in Seattle, Wash. or early August in Brookings, Ore. If you want to plant veggies in fall for winter harvest, plant two weeks before frost: late August in Colville or Antelope, mid-October in Seattle and early November in Brookings.

2. Amend the soil in your established garden before this second or third planting of the year. Turn 3 to 4 inches of organic compost into the top 10 inches of your garden soil, then add starter or organic fertilizer to increase the soil's nutrition level. Planting in depleted soil may lead to failed plant or vegetable growth.

3. Plant standard summertime veggies like tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash or cucumbers in midsummer for a fall harvest. Plant frost-hardy veggies like beets, broccoli, cabbage, chard, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, onions and parsley in late summer for a fall harvest. Plant this second group of vegetables, along with peas and garlic, in fall for winter harvest.

4. Water the entire garden with 2 to 3 inches of water, then spread 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch over the soil. The mulch will maintain soil warmth and moisture, keep the weeds down and break down over time to add more nutrition to the soil.

5. Maintain the garden with new mulching once a month and 2 inches of water every week. Water only to supplement natural rainfall in this area. Use sheets, blankets or garden cloths to cover the garden during any hard frost or rainstorms, to protect the plants and lengthen the growing season.

References

• Oregon State University: Growing Your Own Vegetables -- Planting Dates and Guidelines
• Washington State Unviersity: Home Gardens
• Washington State University: Gardening in Western Washington: Fall and Winter Vegetable Gardens
• Oregon State University: Fall and Winter Vegetable Gardening in the Pacific Northwest

Resources

• Growit: Washington USDA Hardiness Zone Map
• Growit: Oregon USDA Hardiness Zone Map
• Victory Seeds: Average First and Last Frost Dates for Washington
• Victory Seeds: Average First and Last Frost Dates for Oregon