Chicago-area residents often endure their winters by clinging to the idea that spring can`t be far behind.
But spring around these parts is a misnomer, when temperatures can fluctuate wildly. So gardeners who relish those crops that thrive in cool weather are better off by waiting until fall, when temperatures remain comparatively consistent.
This area`s cool, crisp days and chilly nights provide the ideal growing conditions for such favorites as lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and second plantings of peas and radishes. Unlike spring, when rains can delay preparation of soil and early planting, fall gardening also carries the advantage of decreased insect activity and fewer weeds.
According to W. Atlee Burpee Co.`s ”Planting Guide for Fall Crops,”
gardeners should remember the following simple steps when planning a fall garden:
– Vegetables subject to attack by the same diseases and insects should not follow each other in the garden. Plant an unrelated crop.
– Soil dries out faster in the summer, so keep seeds or seedlings evenly moist until the plants are well established. Mulch is beneficial during the hotter months.
– Additional fertilizer and nutrients are critical because the soil will be working twice as hard.
– Heat-sensitive crops such as lettuce and spinach may be sown in an area shaded by taller summer crops.
Depending on where you live in the Chicago area, the planting of fall crops (as young plants or from seed) is dependent on the average date of the first frost. Cook County residents, because of their proximity to Lake Michigan, can expect frost around Oct. 20. In outlying areas, however, frost can develop as early as Oct. 10.
Crops such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and head lettuce should be set out as plants because of their long growing period. Because it is unlikely that local nurseries will have any of these plants left by the time fall planting is recommended, gardeners should start them from seed now and care for the young plants in the same manner as those slated for the summer garden. ”It`s a little late now, but if you have some pea seeds left, put them in the ground,” said Kate Jerome, a horticulturist with the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
Jerome said lovers of cabbage can try the Chinese variety because it will develop fully; traditional cabbage, started from seed now, will produce a nice crop of leaves but no heads. Other greens to be tried are leaf lettuce (plant until Sept. 1), spinach (until Sept. 10), mustard greens (until Sept. 1) and turnips (now). Turnips will develop leaves but not the main root crop.
Onion sets planted now will produce a good stand of green onions for the table. And it is still not too late for one more planting of beans and carrots; radishes can go in as late as Oct. 1.
How long a garden can produce is mainly dependent on favorable growing conditions, which can be prolonged by strategic plantings, such as along the south side of a building, and using protective coverings, such as plastic or mulch. Even snow in early winter can protect some of these crops from temperatures that dip below freezing.
But nothing lasts forever, and in the end the gardener must determine whether the yield is worth the extra effort.
”It might be pushing it a little too far just to get two more radishes,” Jerome said.
