Fall Growing in

SOUTH CAROLINA

THE BEST CROPS FOR a

Successful Fall Harvest

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

Tomato

How To Grow:

Tomatoes thrive in South Carolina's warm climate. Follow these steps to grow delicious tomatoes:

Choose the Right Variety: Select tomato varieties suitable for your region, like Early Girl or Celebrity, which have shorter growing seasons.

Start Indoors: Begin tomato seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Use seedling trays and quality potting mix.

Transplant Carefully: Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.

Provide Support: Install stakes or cages to support tomato plants as they grow. This prevents branches from breaking due to the weight of fruit.

Water Consistently: Keep the soil evenly moist. Aim for deep watering at the base of plants to encourage root growth.

Fertilize Wisely: Apply a balanced fertilizer when planting, and then every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.

Prune for Airflow: Remove lower leaves to improve airflow and reduce the risk of disease.

Monitor Pests and Diseases: Regularly inspect plants for pests like aphids and diseases like blight. Apply organic remedies when necessary.

Harvest Ripe Tomatoes: Harvest tomatoes when they're fully ripe for the best flavor. Gently twist or cut them from the vine.

Cabbage

How To Grow:

Cabbage can be a rewarding crop in South Carolina's moderate climate. Here's how to grow it successfully:

Choose the Right Time: Plant cabbage in early spring for a fall harvest or in early summer for a winter harvest.

Prepare the Soil: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Amend the soil with compost before planting.

Start Indoors or Direct Sow: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the intended planting date, or directly sow seeds in the garden.

Transplant Seedlings: Transplant seedlings when they're about 4-6 weeks old and have a few true leaves.

Space Appropriately: Plant cabbage with adequate spacing to allow proper air circulation, preventing diseases.

Water Regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot periods. Avoid overhead watering to reduce leaf diseases.

Fertilize Moderately: Use a balanced fertilizer at planting and then a nitrogen-rich fertilizer a few weeks later.

Mulch for Moisture Retention: Apply mulch around cabbage plants to help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

Protect from Pests: Cover young plants with row covers to protect them from pests like cabbage worms and aphids.

Harvesting: Harvest cabbage heads when they're firm and compact. Cut the stem at the base to remove the head.

Collards

How To Grow:

Collards are a staple in Southern cuisine. Here's how to grow them successfully:

Planting Time: Plant collard greens in early spring or late summer for a fall crop.

Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Collards prefer a slightly acidic soil.

Direct Sow or Transplant: You can directly sow seeds or start seedlings indoors and transplant them once they have a few true leaves.

Spacing: Space collard plants about 18-24 inches apart to allow for healthy growth.

Sun and Water: Collards thrive in full sun to partial shade. Water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist.

Fertilization: Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. Additional fertilization may be necessary during growth.

Pest Management: Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and cabbage worms. Row covers can provide protection.

Harvesting: Begin harvesting outer leaves when they're large enough. Leave the center leaves to encourage continued growth.

Beetroot

How To Grow:

Beets are another root vegetable that can thrive in South Carolina. Here's how to grow them:

Planting Time: Plant beets in early spring for a summer crop or in late summer for a fall harvest.

Soil Preparation: Prepare well-draining soil enriched with compost. Beets prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Direct Sow: Sow beet seeds directly into the garden about 1/2 inch deep and 1-2 inches apart.

Thinning: Once the seedlings have a few true leaves, thin them to allow proper root development. Thinned beet greens are edible.

Sun and Water: Beets do well in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Keep the soil consistently moist.

Fertilization: Work in compost before planting and apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice during growth.

Pest and Disease Management: Beets are generally resilient, but keep an eye out for pests like leaf miners. Row covers can provide protection.

Harvesting: Harvest beets when they reach the desired size, usually around 2-3 inches in diameter. You can also harvest beet greens for salads.