Leave the idea behind that gardening and cultivating is only for spring and early summer! Lettuce, kale, and carrots are only a few of the fall favorites that are perfect to cultivate in late summer.
This time of the year is also a perfect opportunity to give your garden land some love. Protect it from weeds and add some nutrients to keep it healthy during fall and winter.
You can prepare yourself for fall cultivations by pre-cultivating cuttings to sow directly into the soil by late summer. If that is not the case; do not worry. You have time to sow seeds directly into the soil as well.
There are several plants that thrive in autumn weather, since the temperatures are cooler and the sun does not risk burning them.
Leafy greens tend to grow fast. Some varieties are actually preferred to sow during late summer, as they thrive in cooler temperatures, and do not risk getting damaged by the bright sun. Lettuce and arugula are two examples of fall-friendly leafy greens. Sugar peas also grow best in cooler weather. If cultivated in August, they can be harvested in autumn.
Other fall-friendly alternatives to cultivate are black cabbage and kale. Asian cabbage varieties such as pak choi and tatsoi are super fast and very cold-resistant. These are among the best seeds to sow in late summer and autumn, as you will be able to harvest them all the way until winter.
Several vegetables that grow underground are fast enough to be harvested during autumn if cultivated in late summer. As they are underground, they are also naturally protected against frost. Carrots, radishes, turnips, and kohlrabi are examples of these.
There are also some fast-growing herbs that can be sown in late summer. Like dill, for example.
A bare surface after being harvested is at risk of losing its nutrients through leaching. Weeds tend to grow on these surfaces as well. If you are not interested in cultivating more at the end of summer, you might want to sow one or more green manure plants in your garden land. Apart from covering the surface of the soil and thereby counteracting the weeds, these plants help improve the structure and add nutrients to the soil.
Even though the days are warm during late summer, the nights can get terribly cold at some places. Pay attention to the temperature and protect your sensitive plants by placing them in warmer places, or cover them with some kind of garden fabric or plant cover.
As the summer ends, it may be wise to place some of your plants indoors if it is possible. Plants such as herbs or tomatoes, for example, can be replanted into pots. With the help from grow lights during the darker and colder months, the plants can grow and give a harvest well into the winter.