Although many gardeners do n’t think of later summer as prime planting time , it is ! In many parts of the res publica , right now is the perfect time to seed seeds ofcool - season crops . There ’s plenty of clock time for these veggies to raise a hearty harvest before the snowfall flies . With a little protection from rime , most of them can proceed to be glean until well after winter has take root in .
In my USDA zona 6 garden , I ’m busy sow seeds of radish , chard , spinach , arugula and even carrots , but the veg I grow the most of every autumn islettuce .
Six to 10 weeks before our first hoarfrost is ask , I head out to the garden to sow in several course of wampum seeds . While you may certainlyplant the seeds indoorsand develop them under light for a few weeks before transplanting them into the garden , I find it ’s much easy to now sow the seeds into the garden ; that agency , I do n’t have to baby the seedling indoors . I plainly make indisputable the come rows persist well - watered through August ’s heat , and do September , my scratch seedlings really take off . Most varieties are ready to harvest as baby green just four calendar week after sowing , but I let most of them take form a full - sized head because I bed the crunch .
The sweet flavor and kinky texture of fall - grown lettuce is unparalleled , but over the years , I ’ve retrieve that not all varieties of lettuce are prune out to be grown of late in the time of year ; some of them do far better as a outpouring crop . When deciding which lettuce varieties to sow in the late summertime , I look for selections with increased cold - robustness so that I can keep them in the garden as long as potential after the atmospheric condition chill . I also look for varieties that are fast - age and those that offer a salmagundi of texture and leaf colors to beautify the salad bowl and furnish my family with different nutrients .
After many old age of tryout and error , I ’ve come up with a list of lucre varieties that are well - suit to fall sowing . For me , these selections are certain - fire succeeder news report each and every year .
1. Arctic King
With a name like Arctic King , you hump this one has to be good for fall production ! ho-hum to get on ( 150 day ) , this butterhead character can survive the winter with just a course back in place , even where temps oft dip below freezing , produce beautiful , medium - unripened leaves .
2. Winter Brown
With a minuscule , on the loose head , this form is very robust and survive cold-blooded temperatures quite well . The gullible leaves are tipped with red .
3. Winter Marvel
This European butterhead clams is consummate for fall and wintertime harvests . It ’s a tough flora with a tender texture . It ’s quick to glean just 55 days after sow , so I can wait as late as mid - September to found it if I want to extend my harvest even longer .
4. North Pole
Maturing in just 50 days , North Pole is a terrific option for fall planting in moth-eaten climates . A butterhead with extreme cold tolerance , the light - green leaves can be harvest all winter long if grown in a insensate frame .
5. Four Seasons
Also prognosticate Merveille des 4 Saisons , this fast - get on variety produces a lax head . The rusty - scarlet leaves are crisp , and heads measure a metrical foot or more across .
6. Winter Density
Our personal favorite for fall sowing , this mini bibb lettuce forms a small , romaine - alike head . The compact leaf stand about 8 inches marvelous , and they pack a brawny crunch and splendid flavor . We often get them to winter under a twofold stratum of dustup cover supported by hoops positioned over the planting row .
This article originally appeared in the July / August 2015 egress ofHobby Farms .
