Seattle Press on Line - Autumn in Seattle: Time to Reap, Time to Sow

Notes From the Garden

Gardener's Journal

Autumn in Seattle: Time to Reap, Time to Sow

Sep 27, 2001 -- Gardeners often spend the first weeks of fall trying to give away the glut of summer's tomatoes and zucchini. Because of this preoccupation with harvesting, few people consider sowing new seeds in late September. However, many seedlings can "overwinter" in Seattle's mild climate, needing only four to eight true leaves. In spring, these plants will have an early growth spurt and produce the first homegrown veggies of the season. The Maritime Northwest Garden Guide, produced by Seattle Tilth, makes the following recommendations.

"Sowing salad greens from late September into the first weeks of October is important because small plants (1 to 2 inches tall) overwinter better than larger plants. Overwintering plants have unique soil fertility needs to help them survive the cold and thrive come spring. Excessive nitrogen produces fast growth full of water, so don't provide too much nitrogen because this will make plants more susceptible to frost damage. The goal is balanced growth throughout the fall and early winter, then in spring, add the top dressings of high-nitrogen organic fertilizers* or composted manure to spur faster growth.

Overwintering crops for Seattle

Carrot family (Apiaceae): Caraway, Carrot (Merida), Chervil (Brussels Winter), Sweet Cicely
Grass Family (Gramineae): Barley, Rye, Spelt, Triticale, Wheat
Mustard Family (Brassicaceae): Arugula, Rustic Arugula (arugula sylvatica), Mustard (Green in Snow, Green Wave, Mizu-na), Radish (Misato Rose Flesh)
Pea Family (Fabaceae): Snow Peas (Chinese Snow), Fava Beans (Aprovecho Select, Aquadulce, Banner, Sweet Lorane)
Beet Family (Chenopodiaceae): Beets (Chioggia, Lutz Green Leaf, Winterkeeper, Yellow Intermediate Mangel), Spinach (Winter Bloomsdale, Giant Winter, Tyee)
Sunflower Family (Compositae): Lettuce (Brune d'Hiver, Perella, Red Tinged Winter, Ruben's Red Romaine, Winter Density, Winter Marvel)

In an established garden, the nutrients necessary for fall plant establishment can be supplied by cover crops and compost. Incorporate well-rotted compost into the entire garden bed. The comparatively warm soil temperatures of fall allow soil bacteria to mineralize the nutrients in the compost, making them available to winter vegetables.

The process of double digging, or preparing the soil to 18-24 inches deep, allows roots good penetration and better access to nutrients. Permanent beds and pathways help keep you from compacting the soil with your feet, which can damage the soil in the wet winter months.

Thin your plants a little more than you would in the spring (up to twice as far apart). The increased distance between plants improves air circulation when plants are grown in cloches and reduces root competition for nutrients."

[*High-nitrogen organic fertilizers include feather meal, blood meal and bat guano, all available at stores which carry organic gardening supplies.]

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