As summer’s swelter gives way to the cooler days of fall, it’s time to start thinking about your fall garden. For gardeners in Visalia, California, this means planning ahead and taking advantage of the summer heat to prepare your soil and start new plants. We wanted to share a simple guide to what you should be planting and preparing for from July through September.
Here is part 3 of our 4-part series:
July: Prepare and Plan
July in Visalia is hot, making it an ideal time to prepare for your fall garden. Start by cleaning up any garden areas you plan to replant. Pull weeds and consider solarizing the soil—covering it with clear plastic to trap heat and kill off weeds, diseases, and pests. This process takes about four to six weeks, so starting early is key.
Although it’s too hot to direct sow herbs outside, you can start them indoors where conditions are cooler. Consider starting eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes indoors now, as these can be transplanted into your fall garden later.
If you’re planning to grow pumpkins or winter squash for Halloween, sow these now. Keep an eye out for downy mildew and other issues, especially during the rainy season. Okra and Southern peas can still be planted during this time.
August: Sow and Start Indoors
In August, the heat continues, but you can start to make headway for your fall garden. Direct sow bush beans, cucumbers, summer squash, carrots, and beets into your garden. It’s also a good time to start seeds for cool-weather crops like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts indoors.
For those with older palm trees, check for yellowing fronds as this might indicate nutrient deficiencies. Apply a suitable palm fertilizer to address any issues. Poinsettias and mums should be pinched back by the end of the month to encourage winter blooms.
As the summer rains can cause nutrient leaching, ensure your plants are adequately fertilized. Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend their blooming season into fall.
September: Plant and Rejuvenate
September brings a shift in gardening opportunities. It’s a great time to dive into planting cool-weather crops if you haven’t already. Direct seed beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers, kale, lettuce, peas, and spinach outdoors.
For a fresh start, prepare your fall vegetable garden if you haven’t done so already. Whether starting seeds indoors or buying transplants, getting these in the ground now will ensure a quick start for your fall garden.
This month is also perfect for dividing and replanting perennials and bulbs that need rejuvenation. Incorporate organic matter into new planting areas and monitor water needs for these newly established plants.
If you have citrus trees, consider fertilizing them with a balanced fertilizer either this month or in October. Avoid using soluble nitrogen if there has been significant rain, as it can leach away quickly.
By following these steps, you’ll set yourself up for a productive and vibrant fall garden in Visalia. Enjoy the transition from summer’s heat to the crisp fall days with a garden that’s ready to flourish.
