Fall Growing in

MISSISSIPPI

THE BEST CROPS FOR a

Successful Fall Harvest

Boost Your Garden's Productivity with These Ideal Fall Crops for Mississippi Climate!

Tomato

How To Grow: To grow tomatoes in Mississippi, follow these steps:

Choose the Right Variety: Select tomato varieties that are well-suited for Mississippi's climate, such as heat-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties.
Prepare the Soil: Ensure well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Planting: Plant tomato seedlings outdoors after the last frost, usually in early spring. Space the plants about 2 to 3 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation.
Sunlight: Tomatoes need full sunlight, so choose a location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Tomatoes prefer deep, thorough watering rather than frequent shallow watering.
Mulching: Apply mulch around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent weed growth.
Support: Provide support for the tomato plants to prevent them from sprawling on the ground. You can use stakes, cages, or trellises.
Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer, preferably one with higher phosphorus and potassium content for fruit development. Follow the recommended application rates.
Pruning: Remove the suckers that form in the crotch joints of the tomato plants to encourage better airflow and fruit production.

Brussels Sprouts

How To Grow: To grow Brussels sprouts in Mississippi, follow these steps:

Select the Right Variety: Choose Brussels sprout varieties that are well-suited for Mississippi's climate. Look for varieties that have a shorter growing season, as the hot climate can affect their development.
Timing: Brussels sprouts are a cool-season crop. Start seeds indoors about 12-14 weeks before the first expected frost date in the fall. Transplant seedlings into the garden when they are about 4-6 weeks old.
Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by adding organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. Brussels sprouts prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH around 6.0 to 7.5.
Planting: Transplant seedlings into the garden in late summer for a fall harvest. Space the plants about 2 feet apart in rows that are 2.5 to 3 feet apart.
Sunlight: Brussels sprouts need full sun for at least 6 hours a day. However, in hot climates like Mississippi, they benefit from some afternoon shade to protect them from excessive heat.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide deep watering to encourage strong root development.
Mulching: Apply mulch around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and control weeds.
Fertilization: Work in a balanced fertilizer or compost before planting. You can also provide a nitrogen-rich side dressing a few weeks after transplanting.
Support: Brussels sprout plants can become top-heavy as the sprouts develop. Consider staking or using plant supports to prevent them from falling over.

Cauliflower

How To Grow: To grow cauliflower in Mississippi, follow these steps:

Variety Selection: Choose cauliflower varieties that are well-suited for Mississippi's climate. Look for varieties that have good heat tolerance and shorter maturity times.
Timing: Cauliflower is a cool-season crop. Start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in the fall. Transplant seedlings into the garden when they're 4 to 6 weeks old.
Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility. Cauliflower prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
Planting: Transplant seedlings into the garden in the early fall for a fall harvest. Space the plants about 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 24 to 36 inches apart.
Sunlight: Cauliflower requires full sun for at least 6 hours a day. In hot climates like Mississippi, some afternoon shade can help protect the plants from excessive heat.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide deep watering to encourage strong root development.
Mulching: Apply mulch around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and control weeds.
Fertilization: Incorporate a balanced fertilizer or compost into the soil before planting. You can also provide a nitrogen-rich side dressing a few weeks after transplanting.

Kale

How To Grow: To grow kale in Mississippi, follow these steps:

Variety Selection: Choose kale varieties that are well-suited for Mississippi's climate. Look for varieties that have good heat tolerance and are suitable for both spring and fall planting.
Timing: Kale is a cool-season crop. Plant kale seeds or seedlings in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, and again in late summer for a fall crop.
Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil with good fertility. Kale prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH around 6.0 to 7.0. Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure.
Planting: Sow kale seeds directly in the garden or use transplants. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep and space them according to the variety's recommendations. For transplants, space them according to the mature size of the kale plant.
Sunlight: Kale prefers full sun to partial shade. In hot climates like Mississippi, some afternoon shade can help protect the leaves from excessive heat.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Watering evenly is important for good growth and leaf production.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the kale plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and control weeds.
Fertilization: Incorporate a balanced fertilizer or compost into the soil before planting. Since kale is a leafy green, providing a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can encourage healthy leaf growth.