Summer in the Central Valley is hot, hot, hot. As I try to stay cool during this relentless heat my thoughts turn to fall, one of my favorite times of year. Fall brings with it the welcome cooler weather, the beauty of the turning leaves and thoughts of pumpkins, spiced cider, and cuddling up in my favorite chair with a cozy blanket and a good book. I also begin to anticipate the joy of fall veggie gardening.

As a gardener, I get really excited to plant some of my favorite foods. Broccoli, cauliflower, swiss chard, kale, and lettuce always grace my table each fall and into the winter months. Carrots and sugar snap peas greet me next to my front door.  Green and purple cabbage have even lined my walkway tempting me with thoughts of the sauerkraut that will be made from their crunchy heads.

While the majority of my experience has been with planting my veggies in raised beds and in ground, when I was first starting out on my gardening venture I planted several varieties in pots and containers. Lettuce, carrots, sugar snap peas, have all grown well for me in containers.

Lettuce was, and is, still one of my favorites for fall veggie container gardening. I have successfully grown my own romaine, butter, and a mixed salad variety in pots. All of these varieties need a container of at least 6 inches in depth that drains well, a good loamy potting soil, full sun to partial shade and regular watering. Plant several in round pots or better yet, use a long deep container and space your lettuce out about 4 – 6 inches apart, a bit further if it is a heading variety.

The best thing about growing lettuce, especially romaine, is that you can harvest the lettuce throughout out the season.  By snipping off the older, outer leaves, you can keep your lettuce growing and extend your harvest. I usually sow my seeds every two weeks just to make sure I have lettuce all fall and winter long.

Sugar snap and snow peas are great for containers. I've normally use transplants from the nursery but seeds will work just as well.  Choose a container that is quite sturdy as these peas like to have a trellis to grow upon.  Place a homemade trellis in the pot and place your transplants or seeds about two inches away from the trellis. Alternately, I have placed my peas in pot next to a pretty trellis leaning against the garage wall and they have loved it. The best thing about growing peas is the more you harvest, the more they produce. 

Carrots, for me, are a little trickier. First time I tried them the container wasn't deep enough and I had these little stunted carrots. Choosing a deep container or pot, at least 12” led to better success and a very tasty treat. Remember to thin out your carrots as well or you'll have some very interestingly shaped and twined carrots. They are still edible, but don't look very pretty.

Yes, fall is one of my favorite times of year. Not just for the weather, but for the abundance of produce that we can grow here in the Central Valley. Fall veggie container gardening is a great way to get started on your adventures in gardening.

Terry will be co-teaching our upcoming Fall Vegetable Gardening class on August 25. Save the date! More details coming soon.