As summer starts winding down, it’s a good time to begin thinking about the fall and winter garden. Even if tomatoes, peppers and other warm-season crops are still producing, late summer is the time to start seedlings indoors so they will be ready when cooler weather arrives.
Starting seeds indoors gives young plants a head start while it is still too warm outside for many cool-season vegetables. It also makes it easier to keep an eye on moisture, light and temperature while the plants are getting established.
Seeds can be started in small pots, seed trays or other containers with drainage holes. Fill them with a lightweight seed-starting mix and plant according to the directions on the seed packet. Most vegetable seeds do not need to be planted very deep.
After planting, water gently so the soil is evenly moist but not soggy. Seedlings need consistent moisture while they are germinating and getting started, so check them regularly and do not let the soil dry out completely.
A sunny window may work well, but grow lights can also be helpful, especially if the seedlings begin to stretch toward the light. Young plants that grow tall, thin and weak are usually telling you they need more light.
There are plenty of good choices for the cooler months. Lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, bok choy, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts all do well in cooler weather. Some can handle light frost once they are established, although young plants may still need some protection on colder nights.
Here in the Tri-Community, planting time can vary quite a bit depending on where you live. Gardeners in Wrightwood will usually need to think about frost sooner than those in Phelan or Piñon Hills, where the warmer fall days can hang on a little longer. Keep an eye on your nighttime temperatures and the weather forecast, and let that guide you on when it is time to move your seedlings into the garden.
Seedlings started in late summer will usually need several weeks indoors before they are ready to transplant. Leafy greens may be ready sooner, while broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and other larger plants can take a little longer.
As the seedlings grow, watch for overcrowding. If several seeds come up in one container, thin them so the strongest plants have room to grow. If they begin to outgrow their starter pots before it is time to plant outside, move them into slightly larger containers.
Before planting seedlings in the garden, give them time to get used to being outdoors. This is called hardening off, and it helps keep plants from going into shock when they move from a protected indoor space to sun, wind and cooler temperatures.
Start by setting them outside in a shady, protected spot for an hour or two each day. Over the next seven to 10 days, gradually leave them out longer and give them more sun. By the end of that time, they should be better prepared for life in the garden.
When it is time to transplant, prepare the soil with compost or other organic matter if needed, and make sure the ground is moist before planting. Give each plant enough room to grow and water well after transplanting. After that, keep an eye on the soil and water when needed rather than following a fixed daily schedule.
Gardeners in Wrightwood may also want to keep frost cloth or another lightweight cover handy as fall moves along. Even cold-tolerant vegetables can benefit from a little protection when temperatures take a sudden dip, especially while plants are still young.
It may seem early to think about winter gardening while summer crops are still coming in, but getting started now can make a big difference later. Plants that are already several weeks old when the weather cools will have a much better start than seeds planted outdoors after the cold has already arrived.
With a little planning now, the summer garden can slowly give way to crops that enjoy cooler weather. Those small seedlings on a windowsill today can become healthy plants producing fresh vegetables well into fall and, depending on the crop and where you live, into the winter months.
