Contrary to popular belief, fall is an ideal time for vegetable gardening in the Brooklyn, New York region. The cooler temperatures and shorter days of autumn make it easier to produce a variety of vegetables that thrive in the cooler, wetter conditions. With proper planning and preparation, you can create a successful fall vegetable garden no matter where in New York you are located. While getting your vegetable garden set up, you’ll need to ensure your plants have a strong and sturdy home to thrive in. We recommend the Planter’s Resource Straight Sided Fiberglass Planter. These planters are durable enough to withstand the upcoming season change and light enough to be easily relocated, all while contributing to the sleek and modern look of your outdoor space. These planters come in a variety of sizes to perfectly fit your garden, no matter how limited your outdoor space is.
Selecting Your Vegetables
Wholesale nurseries can be a great resource for gardeners looking for vegetables that will thrive during the cooler months. Here, you’ll find a variety of hardy, frost-tolerant varieties such as broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower specifically tailored to the New York climate. With careful selection and proper planting techniques, these vegetables will produce excellent results when properly cared for. Be sure to pay attention to the vegetable’s average number of days to maturity to ensure conditions remain ideal throughout the plant’s entire life cycle. Some of the best vegetables to plant in the fall include:
- Arugula
- Beets
- Bok Choy
- Carrots
- Chives
- Garlic
- Green Beans
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Peas
- Radishes
Selecting Your Planters
The key to successful fall vegetable gardening is selecting appropriate containers for planting. If you are looking for an economical option, consider buying wholesale containers in bulk. They will be much cheaper than purchasing individual containers at a gardening store, and you can find lots of diverse sizes and types to accommodate the needs of your plants. For smaller vegetables, such as spinach, try planting in shallow containers. This will make it easier to tend to your plants and keep them healthy. Larger vegetables such as potatoes or kale need more soil depth for their roots to develop appropriately, so be sure to find a container that has at least 8 inches of depth.
Prepping the Soil
In order to guarantee a successful harvest, it’s important to prepare your garden soil beforehand. Till the area and add organic matter such as compost or manure to improve drainage and water retention. Next, be sure to fertilize the soil with an appropriate fertilizer designed for the climate of vegetable gardens in Brooklyn. Once these steps have been completed, you’ll be ready to plant your fall vegetables.
Companion Planting
When planting your fall vegetable garden, consider using companion planting techniques. This is a method of integrating plants with other varieties to create mutually beneficial relationships that can improve the overall health and productivity of your garden. For example, you may want to position broccoli near garlic or radishes near lettuce – these combinations offer an extensive list of benefits, such as helping to repel pests and improve the yield of your vegetables.
Vegetable Garden Upkeep
Finally, make sure to properly water and weed your garden regularly. This will help keep your plants healthy and productive all throughout the fall season. With a bit of careful planning, you can have a successful vegetable harvest in no time! Then, when it comes time to harvest your vegetables, be sure to use proper techniques to preserve their freshness and flavor. For instance, root vegetables such as carrots and radishes should be harvested when they are between two to four inches in length, while cabbage must be harvested before its outer leaves begin to discolor or flatten.
It is important to remember that some produce requires a bit more effort than others when it comes to harvesting. Cabbage and kale need to be cut from the stalk, while other crops such as carrots and radishes should be dug up with a spading fork. Harvesting your fall vegetables may seem difficult, but with some patience and knowledge of proper harvesting techniques, you can ensure that you get the best quality produce from your Brooklyn garden.
Supplemental Fall Gardening
In addition to vegetables, you can also grow herbs in your fall garden to add flavor to your meals. Herbs such as oregano, rosemary and thyme are all excellent options for a New York garden. These hardy varieties are easy to start from seed or transplant from local nurseries, and will thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall. With proper care, you’ll be able to enjoy the flavorful tastes of fresh herbs all throughout the season – a true treat for any home chef! Some of the best herbs to plant in the fall include:
- Parsley
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Cilantro
- Oregano
- Lavender
- Thyme
Your Resource for Greater Gardening
You don’t need to wait until spring to get your hands dirty. Fall is an ideal time to start vegetable gardening in Brooklyn, New York. With careful planning and preparation, you can create a successful and productive garden that will yield results for months to come. Planter’s Resource is here to help with all of your gardening and planting needs. Feel free to peruse our blog for more gardening tips, and don’t forget to reach out when it’s time to size-up your planters or switch to a different planter material. Happy gardening!
