Fall Growing in

NORTH CAROLINA

THE BEST CROPS FOR a

Successful Fall Harvest

Boost Your Garden's Productivity with These Ideal Fall Crops for North Carolina'S Climate!

Peas

How To Grow: To grow peas successfully in North Carolina, follow these steps:

Timing: Peas are a cool-season crop. Plant them in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. They can also be planted in the fall for a second harvest.
Site Selection: Choose a location that receives full sun. Peas appreciate a bit of shade in the hottest parts of the day, especially in North Carolina's warm climate.
Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Work compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. Peas prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH around 6.0 to 7.0.
Planting: Sow pea seeds directly into the garden. Plant them about 1 to 1.5 inches deep and space them according to the variety's recommendations. Rows should be spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart.
Support: Peas are climbing plants and will benefit from support. Use trellises, stakes, or a pea fence to give them something to climb on as they grow.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the germination and growth stages. Regular, even watering is essential for healthy pod development.
Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the pea plants to help conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth.
Fertilizing: Peas are legumes, which means they can fix nitrogen from the air into the soil. However, adding compost before planting can provide additional nutrients. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers, as they can lead to excessive foliage growth and reduced pea production.

Cauliflower

How To Grow: To grow cauliflower successfully in North Carolina, follow these steps:

Timing: Cauliflower is a cool-season crop. Plant it in early spring or late summer to avoid the hottest parts of the year.
Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. If your summers get quite hot, consider planting cauliflower where it will receive some shade during the hottest part of the day.
Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure to improve its fertility and drainage. Cauliflower prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Starting Seeds: Start cauliflower seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Transplant them outdoors when they have a few true leaves and the weather is appropriate.
Planting: Space cauliflower plants about 18-24 inches apart in rows with 24-36 inches between rows. If you're planting multiple rows, space them about 2 to 3 feet apart.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Cauliflower needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer before planting, and consider side-dressing with additional fertilizer as the plants grow. Follow the recommendations on the fertilizer packaging.
Mulching: Mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain consistent soil temperatures.

Broccoli

How To Grow: To grow broccoli in North Carolina, follow these steps:

Choose the Right Time: Broccoli is a cool-season crop. Plant it in early spring for the main crop and again in late summer for a fall crop.
Select a Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Broccoli prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Prepare the Soil: Work compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting to improve its fertility and drainage.
Start Seeds Indoors: About 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost, start broccoli seeds indoors. Transplant them outdoors when they have 2-4 true leaves and the weather is suitable.
Planting: Space your broccoli plants about 18-24 inches apart in rows with 24-36 inches between rows.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Broccoli requires about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
Fertilizing: Side-dress the plants with a balanced fertilizer about 4-6 weeks after transplanting.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture and control weeds.

Potato

How To Grow:To grow potatoes successfully in North Carolina, here's a step-by-step guide:

Variety Selection: Choose potato varieties suited for your region and climate. There are many types of potatoes, including russet, red, and fingerling, so select varieties that perform well in North Carolina.
Planting Time: Plant potatoes in early spring, a few weeks before the last expected frost. In North Carolina, this is usually around mid-March to early April.
Site Selection: Choose a sunny location with well-drained, loose soil. Avoid areas with compacted or waterlogged soil. If possible, select a spot that hasn't grown potatoes or other nightshades in the past few years to reduce the risk of disease.
Seed Potatoes: Purchase certified disease-free seed potatoes from a reputable source. Avoid using potatoes from the grocery store, as they may carry diseases.
Preparing Seed Potatoes: About 1-2 weeks before planting, set your seed potatoes in a cool, well-lit place to encourage sprouting. Cut larger seed potatoes into smaller pieces, each with at least one or two "eyes." Allow the cut surfaces to dry and callus before planting.
Planting: Dig trenches or individual holes about 4-6 inches deep. Space the seed potato pieces about 12-15 inches apart within the row, with rows spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Place the cut side facing down and cover with soil.
Hilling: As the potato plants grow, mound soil around the stems to cover them. This encourages more tubers to form along the stem and prevents them from being exposed to sunlight, which can cause greening and bitterness.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the period when the plants are flowering and tubers are forming. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to rot.
Fertilizing: Potatoes benefit from a balanced fertilizer application before planting. You can also side-dress with additional fertilizer during the growing season.