Fall has officially arrived with temperatures finally dropping and cold fronts blowing in much needed rain! As the weather cools off warm hardy plants will begin to slow down, produce seed, and finish their life cycle. The average first frost date is November 28th - December 15th for planting Zones 8 - 9. Once the first frost arrives warm annuals such as zinnias, dahlias, watermelons, tomatoes, and many more will shrivel and die leaving your garden bare. However, there are many cold hardy plants that you may direct seed and transplant now in your garden that can tolerate frosts and light freezes. Seeding and transplanting these plants will keep your garden productive and beautiful during the winter months.

Seed packets come in all shapes and sizes! Each company structures their seed packets differently, but all will tell you information that you need to know to grow the seeds inside! There is a lot of information packed on one packet and some of the information is very technical. Each category on a seed packet is important and each has their own meaning and impact on your plants. Planting Season : The first step to starting your seeds or planting your transplants is to know during which season the variety you have selected grows best. For example, Zinnias do not grow well during the cold months of winter, and Ranunculus do not grow well in the hot months of summer. Some seed packets will list the growing season on them, such as warm season or cool season. If the season is not listed, you can research the variety based on your growing zone, or ask your local garden center.

Broccoli is a cool season crop that grows well in the cooler months for the Southern States. There are plenty of nutritional benefits with Broccoli and they are high in Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron and Potassium. Broccoli also has more protein than most other vegetables. Broccoli can also be enjoyed both raw, steamed, or cooked. Site Selection Broccoli needs to be planted in full sun where it can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. It also needs fertile, well draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Mulch will also help keep the ground cool and moist. Planting & Watering Broccoli can be started from seed and will be ready for planting in about 14 days. Depending on the variety the plants do grow quickly with the average maturity at around 60 days. Transplanting is better to have a more controlled environment and to get a jump start on the weeds to ensure a successful start.

Beets are a cool season crop that grow well in the cooler months for the Southern States. They are an excellent choice for home hardens as they require little growing space. Beets are grown for both the roots which are usually pickled and the green tops which can be used as “greens” in any salad dish or cooking dish such as with scrambled eggs, in pasta, or in a grain bowl. There are plenty of nutritional benefits and they are an excellent source of antioxidants. They are also high in fiber, nitrates, and potassium according to the Cleveland Clinic .

Peppers are a staple in any gardens and are so incredibly versatile and can be used or consumed in a large variety of ways. Peppers are a warm-season vegetable that grow in most Southern States really well and love the heat. Peppers are wonderful to eat raw or cooked, eat them for a snack or as a garnish to a favorite dish, they can also be added to salads and casseroles, or served stuffed with seasoned bread crumbs or meat and baked with cheese. YUM!

Known as the most popular garden vegetable, the tomato, is a long time favorite for generations. While a fairly easy plant to grow and enjoy, there are a few tricks to learn that will help set you up for success. There are over 10,000 different varieties of tomatoes registered so this can be incredibly overwhelming to select for your garden. Knowing the basics of the different varieties, sizes, shapes, and colors will help you have a better understanding to make the best choice for you. Determinate tomatoes are big bushy types with small, berry tomatoes. The most common approach is to let these grow in cages or to stake with bamboo. Indeterminate tomatoes are tall-growing with large tomatoes. These will need to be staked and tied every foot or two as they will keep growing until the end of the plant's life either by disease or frost. A trellis is another good option. Hybrids are a cross of two distinct parent varieties that combines desirable traits such as disease resistance, early maturity, or fruit set at high temperatures. These are called F1 (first generation) varieties and are commonly grown by many vegetable farmers and growers. There are some fantastic hybrids that have been developed in the past 50-60 years that are favorites by many gardeners and growers for their specific traits that have made them better plants for growing in the South. The seeds produced by these plants may not come back true to the parent plant. Open-pollinated can be defined by a variety with fixed genetic traits that are pollinated by wind or insects. The genetics are considered stable and it will grow true from saved seed. Heirlooms are a classification of a variety that has been grown for at least 50 years and must be an open-pollinated variety. Many enthusiasts find the history behind the heirloom fascinating and motivating to carry on the line of that specific variety. Within these different categories of seeds types, the sizes and shapes of tomatoes also vary greatly. Beefsteaks are known as the jumbo ones and can be 1-2 pounds in weight! Slicers are mostly round, not much bigger than a baseball, and can weigh 4-8 ounces. Paste tomatoes are also known as plum, Italian, or Roma tomatoes. These are the best choice for canning, freezing, roasting, drying, or sauce making due to having fewer seeds and juice. Cherry tomatoes are small, bite-size, round, oval, grape, and pear varieties in many colors including red, pink, yellow, green, purple, deep blue and two-tone varieties. Currants are a different species altogether, are tiny pea size varieties that are perfect for snacking or as additions to salads.

Marigolds are a fantastic collection that is an excellent garden and cut flower very commonly grown during the Fall, but we love during all warm months. They are edible and have a peppery flavor, the leaves have a scent that some love (and some despise), and that scent also makes them deer resistant. Hooray! They are drought resistant and do amazingly well during the hot months. The pollinators love them and butterflies are a common sight on our blooms in the gardens. Marigolds have long been a favorite with vegetable growers and are known to be excellent companion plants to help deter pests and also bring in beneficial insects. The plants are known to deter usually cucumber beetles, Japanese beetles, nematodes, squash bugs, and potato beetles. Specific vegetable plants that can benefit from marigolds are cucumbers, melons, eggplants, squash, potatoes, lettuce, pumpkins, tomatoes, asparagus, beans, and onions.

Cosmos are a classic cottage garden favorite with wispy blooms that are a favorite among many. It is a lovely addition to landscaping beds, containers, and one of my favorites for the cutting garden. There are many varieties available now commercially by seed and seedling transplants. Cosmos are also a pollinator favorite! Site Selection Cosmos need to have a place with full sun, at least six hours of full sunlight. They do prefer well draining soil with high organic content. A heaping scoop of compost raked into the soil will do wonders for plant health.

Pumpkins are a fall favorite among many whether grown for pies, jack-o’-lanterns, or seeds for snackings. While usually easy to grow, there are a few steps to keep in mind to plan for in order to try to have success. Pumpkins can be susceptible to some pests and diseases and are warm season plants only. Site Selection Pumpkins are known to be heavy feeders, so adding compost and possibly additional fertilizer might be a good idea depending on soil test results. When adding compost, try to put a heaping pile of organic matter, enough to add about 3” across your planting area, and then rake it in well in the soil. Pumpkins need to be planted in full sun, a location that receives 6 hours of sunlight at a minimum.