Fall Crops Maryland

Fall Growing in

THE BEST CROPS FOR a

Growing Sweet Corn in Maryland:

Timing: Plant sweet corn after the last frost date and when the soil has warmed up as it's a warm-season crop.
Location: Choose a sunny spot with full sun for optimal growth.
Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8 by adding compost or well-rotted manure.
Varieties: Select from different types of sweet corn, such as normal, sugary enhanced, or supersweet, based on your taste preference and local conditions.
Planting: Start from seeds or transplants. When planting seeds, sow them directly in the ground 1-2 inches deep in blocks or multiple rows for proper pollination.
Spacing: Space corn plants 8-12 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart.
Fertilization: Sweet corn requires regular fertilization. Apply balanced fertilizer before planting and side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer when plants are a foot tall and when tassels appear.
Watering: Sweet corn needs consistent moisture, especially during pollination. Water deeply to encourage healthy root development.
Pollination: Plant sweet corn in blocks rather than single rows for proper wind-driven pollination.
Mulching: Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the base of the plants.

Timing: Arugula is a cool-season crop, suitable for early spring or fall planting.
Location: Plant in a location with partial to full sun, and it can tolerate some shade as temperatures rise.
Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0 by enriching it with compost before planting.
Planting: Sow arugula seeds directly in the ground 1/4 inch deep, spacing them according to your preference.
Spacing: For baby arugula, sow seeds densely; for mature leaves, thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart.
Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture to prevent leaves from becoming bitter.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer before planting.
Mulching: Use organic mulch to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.

Timing: Plant kohlrabi seeds in early spring (4-6 weeks before the last frost) or late summer for a fall crop.
Location: Choose a sunny to partially shaded location.
Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0 by adding compost.
Planting: Sow kohlrabi seeds directly in the ground 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Spacing: Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during early growth.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer before planting.
Mulching: Use mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Timing: Start eggplant seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost and transplant them after frost danger has passed.
Location: Choose a sunny and sheltered location with full sun.
Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5-6.8 by adding compost.
Planting: Start eggplant seeds indoors in pots or trays.
Spacing: Space eggplant plants 24-36 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart.
Support: Depending on the variety, provide support to prevent branches from breaking.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer before planting and when the plants start flowering.
Mulching: Use mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain even soil temperature.