In the midst of the heat and humidity of summer, the cool air of fall is nonetheless forthcoming, which means that now is the time to think about autumn vegetable gardening.

Vegetables that can be grown in the fall are similar to the ones that you plant in the spring: beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, cucumber, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, mustard, Irish potatoes, radish, spinach, summer squash, some tomato varieties and turnip greens.

The key to success of fall planting is to select varieties that will have time to mature. In Murfreesboro, the average date for the first frost is Oct 13. Warm-season vegetables should meet their mature date at least two weeks before the frost date. Cool-season vegetables are able to withstand frost at least two weeks after the first frost.

There is method for determining the time frame for the last planting dates. Most seed packs will give you the average number of days required for harvest. For fall gardening, add 10 days to this number to compensate for the cooler, shorter days of fall. Start with the expected first frost date of Oct 13 and back the date up by two weeks, allowing for maturation of the vegetables. This brings the date to September 30. Then look at the seed pack. If it requires an estimated 40 days to harvest (summer squash), add 10 for fall planting. Take this 50-day count and back it up from the Sept 30 date. Seeds need to be in the ground by Aug. 12. That will provide a two-week window for harvesting from the expected mature date of Sept. 30 through to the expected first frost of Oct. 13.

It is tough to get a fall garden going. Fall varieties germinate in long, dry days and mature in short, cool, moist days. The seeds that thrive in the fall could be different than the spring varieties that you plant. You are combating the weather, water conditions, insects and diseases. Successful fall gardens need close attention.

The University of Tennessee publication SP291G does provide several tables that are useful in planting a fall garden, including a list of suitable varieties. Most varieties, except broccoli, are best planted directly into a garden. To assist in the sprouting of the seeds, consider covering them with cardboard until they poke through the soil. Mulching and watering is necessary during the heat.

Many of the cool vegetables, like lettuce, arugula, peas, cabbage and greens, will endure a frost or two. When there is a frost warning, consider protecting your crops by covering the plants with burlap, sacks or inverted pots. Of course, a cold frame is a more permanent solution to extending the growing season. I had great success with a heavy plastic sheet that I clothes-pinned to the fence on two sides, allowing it to fall to the ground on the other two. You do want to harvest or heavily mulch your root crops before a hard freeze (below 30° F).

Some of the leafy vegetables can be planted up through mid-September. Most have to go in now for a decent fall crop. Enjoy and experiment. I recommend keeping notes so you know what was a success for next year.

Farmers’ Market Education classes continue to be held in the Community Center at the Agricultural Park on John R. Rice Blvd. They are free and start at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Aug. 4 – Tiffany Schmidt, Ext. Program Assistant: Cooking with Kids
Introduce young ones to the joys of cooking fun and healthy snacks.

Aug. 7 – Mitchell Murphree, Chef @ Five Senses Restaurant: Five Senses Cooking Demo
Sample “Southern gourmet” dishes and pick up tips from one of our local professional chefs.

Aug. 11 – Jennifer Joines and Brenda Davis, CMGs: Warm up to Gardening
Exercises and stretches to help you avoid injury and alleviate common gardener aches and pains.

Aug. 14 – Quilts of Valor
Quilts of Valor is a nonprofit organization that makes quilts for wounded soldiers. Sew a pre-cut block or observe and sign one that has been pre-made.

Aug. 18 – Richard Lee, CMG: Intensive Gardening Techniques
Keep your garden growing all season with continuous plantings.

Aug. 21 – Cynthia Allen, MTSU Stormwater Coordinator: Harvest the Rain! DIY Rain Barrels
Conserve the environment and your money by building your own rain barrel! Visit ours onsite and leave with plans for your own. Pre-made barrels also available for order.

Aug. 25 – Carla Bush, Ext. Agent: Seasonal Eating: Tomatoes
Tips for selecting and preparing the “Queen” of garden veggies.

Aug. 28 – Mitchell Mote, Ext. Agent: Fall Lawn Care
Getting your lawn ready for winter will increase your chances of a lush lawn in spring.

Sept. 1 – Carol Reese, CMG: Homegrown Bouquets
Spruce up your home with quick and easy arrangements!

Sept. 4 – Linda Lindquist, CMG: Using Herbs Around the Home
Herbs keep pests away, freshen the air and make great decorations.

There are a few other events and classes going on at the Extension Office during the month of August. Call the office at (615) 898-7710 to register!

So You Want to Be a Farmer
This two-day workshop will help you learn how to get started, provide resources and information to help you make decisions about what you want to do. The event will be held on Friday, Aug. 28, 6–9 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Cost is $40 (includes class materials, lunch and refreshments).

Quilt Trail Tour
Departure on the Quilt Trail Tour will be 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, from Lane Agri-Park. Reserve your place now, as there is limited seating available on the small bus. Cost is $30, which includes the tour and lunch.

Diabetes Workshop
Improve your health, one step at a time! This free six-week workshop will take place Aug. 12, 19 and 26; and Sept 2, 9 and 16 from 2–4 p.m. in the Community Center Building. Participants receive the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions and a relaxation CD. Advance registration is required so we will have enough class materials.

Grass Master Lawn Care Academy
The Grass Master Lawn Care Academy will be Aug. 17 through 20 from 6–8 p.m. Learn about the different kinds of turf grasses we can (and can’t) grow here and how to manage them, options for establishing a new lawn, renovation tips for existing lawns, weed control, fertilization, organic lawn care options and more.