Fall and Winter Gardening for Beginners – By Guest UC Master Gardener Bob Bowes!

Attend Programs for Fall and Winter Gardening

Our UC Master Gardener volunteers will be returning to Cambrian Library!  This time, they will be helping you to learn how to get ready for the fall and winter!

Register for Fall and Winter Courses

Our guest, UC Master Gardener Bob Bowe, shares what to expect in each class below.

Steps to Prepare

Think you're finished gardening once summer is finished? Think again! We'll teach you how to make gardening fun and productive all year long.

As the summer season begins to wind down, it's time to start thinking about transitioning your summer garden to the fall and winter seasons. This includes removing your summer crops, preparing for fall and winter planting and also equally important, enriching and replenishing your soil.

Fall gardening can be incredibly rewarding, providing a bountiful harvest well into the cooler months as well as replenishing your soil from its work providing wonderful summer produce.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for a successful fall planting and next summer’s season.

• Keep a Summer Gardening Journal    
  • You should have a schematic drawing of your garden. This should note what you’ve planted, where and when and any notes on how these plants did – “Hits and Misses.” This will also help you later rotate your crops for next year.
• Remove any Summer Crops & Revaluate Your Site for Changing Sun and Shade Exposure    
  • Remove any crops that are no longer producing or are past their prime. Remove weeds and other debris that pests might overwinter in. Treat fall leaves as a mulch. Consider Soil Testing but results will almost always show that these summer crops have used up or significantly reduced your garden’s Nitrogen.
• Re-evaluate your Site    
  • Know where the sun will be in the fall and winter months, there will be differences. What was perfect in summer, may not be perfect during the shorter days. Do you need to situate your fall/winter garden elsewhere? Perhaps you need containers in a sunnier spot for your winter garden?
• Prepare the Soil    
  • Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. Adding compost to your garden beds will enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients. You can make your own compost using your own yard waste.
  • Even if you are not planting vegetables - Planting Cover Crops is one of the most important things a gardener can do to improve success in the next spring and summer gardening season.

Plan Your Fall Garden

As the summer season begins to wind down, it’s time to start thinking about transitioning your summer garden to the fall and winter seasons. 

• Start Seeds Indoors    
  • For a head start on your fall garden, begin by starting seeds indoors (or use of a Greenhouse) in late Summer.
• Transplant and Direct Sow    
  • Once your seedlings are ready and the weather has cooled slightly, it’s time to transplant them into your garden. It’s best to plant more mature seedlings which have better resistance to pests which is possible by the use of a greenhouse.
  • Other topics to be discussed include:  protecting from frost and planting bare root trees
• Monitor and Maintain    
  • Regularly check your garden for pests and diseases. Fall can bring a new set of challenges.
• Harvest and Enjoy    
  • One of the joys of fall gardening is the extended harvest period. Many fall crops can be harvested continuously, providing fresh produce for your table well into the cooler months. Enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor!

Preparing for fall crop planting requires a bit of planning and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a plentiful harvest and the satisfaction of growing your own food as the seasons change. Happy gardening!

Need More Gardening? 

No worries! The Library can help with whatever you need.

• Seed Libraries: San José Public Library's Seed Libraries offer seeds to the public for free
• Gardening Programming: Find another Master Gardener Class or other free programs at our library branches!
• Gardening Blogs: If you enjoyed this blog, we have even more!