Things Needed
Long , warm falls may influence Tennessee gardeners to extend the vegetable growing season into winter . Winter vegetable gardening is more challenging than spring gardening for several reasons . temperature remain high through much of the capitulation , making seed germination difficult . Fall signals the dry time of year for Tennessee gardens , so providing additional water to growing plants is specially important . Additionally , weeds , insects and diseases that were n’t present in the spring now have a foothold , command superfluous watchfulness . With a little know - how , though , you’re able to grow vegetables through November or December in Tennessee .
Planting the Winter Vegetable Garden
Step 1
look up a local file name extension office for good fall seed varieties . Many varieties that do well in the spring want cool temperature for seed germination followed by warm temperatures for good growth . Fall conditions usually provides the opposite atmospheric condition .
Step 2
Consult a local county extension position to determine the last expected frost in your area . This date vary wide in Tennessee . northerly and high - height region , such as Allardt and Gatlinburg receive frost by mid - September , while Nashville , Memphis and Knoxville do n’t get Robert Frost until late October or November .
Step 3
Determine when to establish your seeds . flora warm - time of year craw , such as beans and tomatoes so they ’ll get on three weeks before the last expected frost . flora coolheaded - season vegetable , such as scratch , prickly-seeded spinach and carrots , so they ’ll ripen three week after the last expected frost . Inspect the seed packet boat for estimated time to suppurate and count back to set planting metre .
Step 4
water the soil until it is evenly moist , but not sloppy .
Step 5
Plant winter vegetable seeds 1/4 inch deeper than the depth recommended on cum packets . This practice helps plants maintain wet during Tennessee ’s hot fall temperature .
Caring for Winter Vegetables
Water weekly as needed to keep grease evenly moist . Do n’t leave seedling to dry out out .
draw weeds and inspect your plant weekly for pest and disease . confabulate a local extension office to identify and handle terrible pest or disease outbreaks .
fecundate your winter vegetable garden with vegetable fertiliser three workweek after planting , and every four to six workweek thereafter .
establish shade covers over germinating seed to protect them from the heat .
Install course covers over nerveless - season vegetables to cover their harvesting into December or January .
Tip
Mulch seedlings with weed - costless straw to conserve moisture and keep the soil fond in recent fall . harvesting warm - time of year vegetables before the first frost .
