Fall Greens Garden

Red Giant mustard

   The drought and heat have finally broken.  It’s time to start planting cool-season vegetable crops such as radish, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other greens crops. 

 Try something different this fall.  Grow some greens crops are decorative as well as tasty.

 

'Red Bor' kale has crinkly red leaves that turn a deep burgundy in fall. 'Red Russian' kale has blue-green leaves with attractive red veins

 'Bright Lights' Swiss chard features dark green leaves with colorful ribs of red, yellow, pink, or white.

If you like mustard greens, try ‘Red Giant’ or ‘Osaka Purple’ varieties. Their different color is eye-catching.

There are many types of leaf lettuces that will produce fast crop.  ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ lettuce is a perennial favorite.  Or try oak leaf types in green or red for a different look. 

Spinach is great cool-weather crop that grows much better in the fall than in the spring.  Try growing the crinkle-leaved 'Tyee' or 'Winter Bloomsdale'.

 
      You do not have to relegate these crops to the vegetable garden. You can remove tired flowers from containers and pop in some turnip or lettuce seeds. Or replace your annual flower beds with colorful, edible ornamental greens.
 

If you’d like more information fall vegetable growing, contact your local Mississippi State University Extension Service office and we’ll do our best to ensure you have a successful fall garden.