Fall Growing in

NEW YORK

THE BEST CROPS FOR a

Successful Fall Harvest

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

Broccoli

How To Grow: To grow broccoli in New York, here's what you can do:

Choose the Right Variety: Select broccoli varieties that are suitable for your growing zone and climate in New York. Look for varieties that have good cold tolerance.
Start Indoors: Broccoli can be started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Use seed trays or pots with a good seed-starting mix. Transplant the seedlings outdoors when they have a few true leaves and the weather has warmed up.
Prepare the Soil: Broccoli prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost before planting to improve its fertility and structure.
Planting: Space broccoli plants about 18 to 24 inches apart in rows with 24 to 36 inches between rows. Plant them slightly deeper than they were in their seed trays.
Sunlight: Broccoli needs full sun for optimal growth. Ensure they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overhead watering, as wet foliage can lead to fungal diseases. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to water at the base of the plants.
Fertilization: Prior to planting, incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil. You can also side-dress with additional fertilizer during the growing season. Avoid excessive nitrogen to prevent overly leafy growth.
Mulching: Apply mulch around the plants to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

Brussels Sprouts

How To Grow: Growing Brussels sprouts in New York is a rewarding endeavor. Here's how to do it:

Choose the Right Variety: Opt for Brussels sprout varieties that are well-suited to your growing zone and climate. Look for varieties with good disease resistance and a suitable maturation time for your region.
Starting Seeds: Start Brussels sprout seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Transplant the seedlings outside when they have several true leaves and the weather has warmed up.
Soil Preparation: Brussels sprouts thrive in well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost before planting to enhance fertility and structure.
Planting: Space Brussels sprout plants about 2 to 3 feet apart in rows with 3 to 4 feet between rows. Plant them at the same depth as they were in their seed trays.
Sunlight: Brussels sprouts require full sun for proper growth. Ensure they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season. Provide regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells.
Fertilization: Prior to planting, work in a balanced fertilizer. Side-dress with additional fertilizer during the growing season if needed.
Mulching: Apply mulch around the plants to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.
Support: As Brussels sprouts grow, they can become top-heavy. Consider staking or providing support to prevent plants from toppling over.

Lettuce

How To Grow: Growing lettuce in New York is quite feasible. Here's a guide to help you get started:

Choose the Right Variety: There are various types of lettuce available, including loose-leaf, romaine, and head lettuce. Select varieties that suit your preference and the growing season in your area.
Starting Seeds: Lettuce can be grown from seeds directly sown in the garden or started indoors and then transplanted. For early spring crops, you can start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost. For fall crops, sow seeds directly outdoors in late summer.
Soil Preparation: Lettuce prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure to improve its fertility and texture.
Planting: If starting seeds indoors, transplant seedlings when they have a few true leaves. Space plants according to the variety's recommendations. If planting directly outdoors, sow seeds thinly and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
Sunlight: Lettuce appreciates some shade during the hottest parts of the day. Plant in a location that receives partial sun to light shade.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Lettuce prefers even moisture to prevent bitterness and bolting (premature flowering).
Fertilization: Before planting, incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil. Avoid using excessive nitrogen, which can lead to overly lush growth.
Thinning: Thin seedlings to the recommended spacing once they have grown a few true leaves. This allows proper air circulation and room for the plants to mature.
Successive Planting: To enjoy a continuous harvest, consider planting new lettuce seeds every few weeks.

Turnips

How To Grow: Growing turnips in New York is quite achievable. Here's a guide to help you get started:

Choose the Right Variety: Select turnip varieties that are well-suited to your growing zone and the size and flavor you desire. There are both traditional white-fleshed turnips and sweeter, colored varieties available.
Timing: Turnips are cool-season crops. Plant seeds directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring or in late summer for a fall crop.
Soil Preparation: Turnips prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Work compost into the soil before planting to improve fertility and structure.
Planting: Sow turnip seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep. Space the seeds according to the variety's recommendations. Turnips can be planted in rows or broadcast.
Sunlight: Turnips appreciate full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade, especially during the warmer parts of the day.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist to ensure good germination and root development. Turnips can become woody if they experience drought stress.
Thinning: Once the turnip seedlings have grown their first true leaves, thin them to the recommended spacing. Thinning allows the roots to develop properly.
Fertilization: Before planting, incorporate a balanced fertilizer into the soil. Turnips don't require heavy fertilization.
Mulching: Applying a thin layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and control weeds.