Welcome to The Herb Cottage
Fall and Winter Gardening Information Page
WINTER GARDEN FOR SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS
For the winter, there are so many things you can grow. Winter is such a great time to garden. And, the produce we can grow in the winter is so nutritious.
You can find seed for many of the following varieties at The Herb Cottage Seed Selection on the Web Page. If you find me at the Farmers' Markets I attend, I'll have all the seed selections and vegetable transplants and herb plants for you there. Or, come on out to The Herb Cottage and browse the nursery.
Before you plant your Fall/Winter garden, here are some tips for amending the soil, especially if you've been growing in the area since Spring. Here
is a (partial) list of what to plant this Fall: VEGETABLES Broccoli-
seed in Sept or purchase transplants and plant late in Sept. and
throughout the winter Cauliflower- seed
in September or purchase transplants and plant late in Sept. and
throughout the winter Cabbage- seed
in September or purchase transplants and plant late in Sept. and
throughout the winter Pak
Choy/Bok Choi- seed in September or purchase transplants and
plant late in Sept. and throughout the winter Kale- seed
in September or purchase transplants and plant late in Sept. and
throughout the winter Collards- seed
in September or purchase transplants. Transplants are hard to find. Mustard
Greens- seed in September or purchase transplants. Transplants
are hard to find. Spinach- seed
in September or purchase transplants and plant late in Sept. and
throughout the winter Leaf
lettuce- many varieties available in seed, fewer as transplants.
Seed in October when weather cools down and every 2-3 weeks during
winter. Asian
Greens- tatsoi, mizuna, komatsuna- seed in September or
purchase transplants. Transplants are hard to find. Beets-
direct seed after September 15 Turnips-
direct seed after September 15 Carrots-
direct seed after September 15 Radishes-
direct seed in September and every 2-3 weeks throughout winter. ANNUAL/BIENNIAL
HERBS TO PLANT FOR WINTER Cilantro Dill
Chervil-
a much underused herb here in the U.S.
Parsley
Fennel PERENNIAL
HERBS FOR FALL PLANTING Rosemary Oregano Thyme Lavender Tarragon-
French and Texas Mint Chives,
Garlic Chives Sage EDIBLE FLOWERS FOR FALL AND WINTER Nasturtium Violet Calendula Pansies
Fall is the best time to plant all hardy perennials. A great mix to amend the soil is Worm Castings, powdered Rock Phosphate and a seaweed-based fertilizer. I use (and sell) Garden-Ville Sea Tea, but there are others on the Market. Alfalfa Meal will add Nitrogen, which you'll need if you are planting cool season food crops. It's still a little early to plant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach and the other leafy greens. I'll have them ready at The Herb Cottage and for the Farmers' Markets by the end of September.
Planting mix for perennials-
50/50 mix of worm castings and powdered rock phosphate-- one handful of the mix in a 4" hole--2 handfuls in a one gallon hole and a cup in a 3-5 gallon hole-and always water everything in with a big dose of Garden-Ville Sea Tea Fertilizer (2 tablespoons to a gallon of water)
Planting mix for cool season plants- like lettuce, kale, cilantro, parsley,broccoli etc--and when you plant your cool season color in late Sept-Oct like calendula, pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, sweet white allysum, etc.
Equal parts of worm castings, powdered rock phosphate and alfalfa meal.
One handful of the mix in a 4" hole-- 2 handfuls in a one gallon hole and a cup in a 3-5 gallon hole-and always water everything in with a big dose of Garden-Ville Sea Tea Fertilizer (2 tablespoons to a gallon of water)
The Herb Cottage is proud to offer high quality seeds from Botanical Interest, Inc., a family owned seed business located in Broomfield, Colorado.