August 12, 2021
Media Contact: Gail Ellis | Communication Specialist, Copywriter | 620-515-2498 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu
As winter begins to decline, do not close that garden bowl yet. Spring gardening season in your backyard awaits.
Oklahoma’s mild climate is ideal for spring gardening, and Oklahoma State University Extension offers educational opportunities for experienced and novice gardeners to extend the growing season.
“They thought they were having a good time in the autumn,” said Julia Lawlin, a professor of horticultural extension in Oklahoma County. In the fall, there is beautiful sunlight and a safer climate.
This second wave will provide healthy vegetables with healthy food choices, save on grocery budgets and support a sustainable lifestyle.
“If you plant something in the garden and spring, it’s a good time to start over again,” said Courtney Decalb-Myers, Cleveland County Extension Teacher.
Any summer crop that can grow in 90 days can produce a good crop in the fall. Zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, spinach and many other salads will continue to grow. Pumpkins are a popular choice, and great seasonal produce – including broccoli, cabbage, cabbage, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, beans and radish – is ideal for fall weather.
“All cole crops must start from plants, and those can often be found in farmers’ markets,” Laullin said. “Remember that for hot summers, in the short days of the harvest and in cold weather, it may take an extra week before they are ready for harvest.
Lauren, participants in the Fall Gardeners’ Course, and DeKalb-Myers, in the Fall Garden Workshop, reminded participants that it may be a challenge to adequately cool some vegetables during the last few warm days of summer. The decision to plant is based on an accurate calendar and a small chance.
“We’ll take out our calendars and figure out when to plant them,” said Decalb-Myers.
Moisture is the key to transplanting seeds into the ground during the cool season, and fields and shade plants are effective in keeping cold and wet.
Seeds for production, such as beans, green beans and carrots, can be consumed overnight. If they are wet and dry again, they will not usually grow. One of the biggest challenges is one time, because the window that produces the harvest window for planting, growing, and harvesting is what Lawine calls “forgiveness.”
“Time and moisture are everything. At the end of the summer, the magic of the fall will take over. ”
For spring gardening tips, see the OSU Extension fact sheet on Spring Gardening.
This press release was prepared by Oklahoma State University. The views expressed herein are those of the author.