Today is the first day of fall. I’m not sure if it’s an unpopular opinion or not to miss summer already, but I do! Maybe it’s the native Floridian in me, or the masochism with the heat that’s gotten to my head, but I tend to favor the warmer months. A big part of that is that I like the sunshine and the plants/smells that come with the season. Since I still have my stacking planters, I was browsing the internet for an opportunity to keep my green thumb going.
So here is a compiled list of vegetables, fruits, and plants that I’m considering trying to grow this autumn!
Hardy Winter Lettuces
I’ll be honest – when I looked up the lettuces that were considered “Hardy” I didn’t recognize most of them. Romaine lettuce and spinach were the only recognizable strands that I came across that even gave me a notion as to what I would do with it. Winter makes it hard to get a good light salad when the starchy soups and heavily-caloried creamy dishes come back into rotation. Since our generation isn’t plowing fields for 10 hours a day like our ancestoral counterparts, I think a low-caloried salad on occasion, fresh from my own garden, would be nice! Also, the Floridian winters are weak, providing perfect conditions to be able to rotate from outside growing to inside, eliminating the threat of frost.
Carrots
Carrots are a very easy to grow, but a little limited in space when it comes to the stacking planters. I had to order a few more to be able to reap the benefits of growing them, since space is of vital importance. The rewards though, will be great. Carrots aren’t a favorite of mine, but placed in a beef roast or stew….what could be better on a chilly evening next to the people you love? Carrots are best grown in October for a mid-late winter harvest.
Radishes
Radishes are seriously my least-favorite vegetable, but dressed up in a dish and made correctly, can be a really healthy and resourceful plant to grow. Most of the things I grow are for self-satisfaction and more of a hobby than a need for sustinence in the cold months. Therefore, radishes are practical and colorful, making it satisfying to grow. They also grow quickly, and are a sturdy vegetable. I’ve had fun growing these in the past and even got a chance to roast them in the oven with some generously seasoned chicken thighs. Now I’m hungry…
Avocados
These are a risky plant to start growing because they are a bit finicky….you can START avocados by just the seed, some toothpicks, and a little bit of patience. I haven’t grown these yet, but apparently the best time for avocados to be harvested is late fall. I’m a bit behind in terms of growing….an avocado TREE by any means, but I wanted to give it a go, despite the challenges. I think if I can get it started in the stacking planter (I’ll probably try with 2-5 seeds) I can see how they progress until I can place them in their own larger plant holder.
I am excited to start growing in a different season entirely and to test out the limitations of the cold, sun, and water required. I always feel like a bit of a mother earth mad scientist when I’m adjusting and re-adjusting the conditions of my plants, and of course, to later reap the benefits in a delicious autumn dish.
What are your favorite fall harvest foods? Perhaps you have a great recipe to share with me? Comment below!
