Fall Crops Minnesota

Fall Growing in

THE BEST CROPS FOR a

Growing Cucumbers in Minnesota:

Choose the Right Variety: Select cucumber varieties suitable for your climate with shorter maturity times, such as slicing or pickling cucumbers.
Timing: Plant cucumbers after the last frost, typically in late May to early June, when the soil has warmed.
Location: Provide a sunny, well-draining location as cucumbers thrive in full sun.
Soil Preparation: Work compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to improve fertility and drainage. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Planting Depth and Spacing: Sow cucumber seeds about 1 inch deep, spacing them based on the variety (12-24 inches apart for bush cucumbers, hills with 3-4 seeds for vining cucumbers).
Support (For Vining Cucumbers): If growing vining cucumbers, provide trellises, stakes, or supports for climbing vines.
Watering: Maintain consistent moisture, especially at the base of the plants to prevent wetting leaves.
Fertilizing: Incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting and side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer as the plants grow.
Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

Choose the Right Variety: Opt for pea varieties suited for cooler climates and with shorter maturity times, such as shelling or snap peas.
Timing: Plant peas in early spring (April to early May) when the soil is workable or late summer for a fall crop (around August).
Location: Select a sunny spot, but peas can tolerate some shade.
Soil Preparation: Improve soil fertility and drainage by incorporating compost or well-rotted manure. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Planting Depth and Spacing: Sow pea seeds 1-2 inches deep and space them according to the variety (12-18 inches apart for rows). For bush peas, space seeds 1-2 inches apart; for vining peas, space them 2-3 inches apart.
Support (For Vining Peas): Provide trellises or supports for vining peas to climb.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during germination and establishment. Maintain even moisture as plants grow.
Fertilizing: Incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting. Additional fertilization may not be necessary if the soil is already fertile.
Mulching: Apply mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain a consistent soil temperature.

Choose the Right Variety: Select Swiss chard varieties based on color and taste preferences.
Timing: Plant Swiss chard as a cool-season crop in early spring (when soil can be worked) or for a fall crop in late summer.
Location: Swiss chard thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Soil Preparation: Improve soil fertility and drainage with compost or well-rotted manure. Aim for a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Planting Depth and Spacing: Sow Swiss chard seeds 1/2 inch deep, thinning seedlings to provide ample space for growth.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during germination and establishment. Maintain even moisture as the plants grow.
Fertilizing: Swiss chard is relatively low-maintenance and may not require heavy fertilization. Use compost or a balanced fertilizer before planting.
Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

Choose the Right Variety: Select sweet corn varieties suited for your climate with shorter maturity times.
Timing: Plant sweet corn after the last frost, usually in late May to early June, when the soil has warmed.
Location: Sweet corn requires full sun and well-draining soil.
Soil Preparation: Enhance soil fertility and drainage by incorporating compost or well-rotted manure. Aim for a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Planting Depth and Spacing: Plant sweet corn seeds 1-2 inches deep, ensuring good pollination by planting in blocks or short rows.
Fertilizing: Sweet corn requires heavier fertilization. Incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting and side-dress with additional fertilizer as the plants grow.
Spacing: Space seeds 8-12 inches apart within rows, with rows 24-36 inches apart, depending on the variety.
Mulching: Apply mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watering: Maintain consistent moisture, especially during critical stages like tasseling and ear development. Provide deep, regular watering to ensure even moisture.