Guide to fall/winter gardening in Louisiana
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—If you have been putting off your gardening chores or are curious about what grows during the late fall/winter. It is time to take advantage of the cooler weather and accomplish your gardening goals.
Get started with perennials, shrubs, veggies, and herbs, and winterize the lawn for fruit trees. The primary step is to prepare your soil for winter conditions by working compost or manure into the soil and applying a thick layer of mulch. For plants, use windbreakers and cold frames (bottomless boxes with transparent lids) to shield your garden from drying out and provide warmth.
In early fall, root crops such as kale, kohlrabi, greens, and loose-head lettuce are planted in October; garlic or winter onions in late fall. According to the LSU AgCenter, kale and collards can tolerate frost and develop a wonderful flavor in the cool weather.
A local nursery based in Keithville offers seasonal gardening seminars and free landscaping advice. They say starting as early as possible is better so the plants grow large before the cold sets in.
According to the Louisiana Nursery, fall/winter vegetables include:
BROCCOLI- Packman
BRUSSEL SPROUTS- Jade Cross
CABBAGE- Early Jersey Wakfield, Stonehead, Ruby Ball, Chinese
CARROTS- Danvers126, Purple Haze, Rainbow
CAULIFLOWER- Snow Crown
CELERY- Tango
CHARD (SWISS)- Bright Lights
COLLARDS- Georgia Southern
KALE- Large Blue Italian, Winterbor
KOHLRABI- Grand Duke
LETTUCE- Buttercrunch, Red Leaf, Romaine, Green Leaf
MUSTARD- Red Giant, Southern Giant Tendergreen, Mix
PEPPERS- Sweet/Hot Banana, Mild/Hot Jalapeno
RADISH- Cherry Red Bell, Crayon Colors
SPINACH- Countryside
TURNIPS- Just Right
Lettuce is low-maintenance, works with any soil, and does not need fertilizer to grow. However, make sure to plant your lettuce in partial shade to avoid becoming inedible.
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According to the Louisiana Nursery, fall is a great time as the soil temperature has gradually decreased, making it optimal for root growth, fewer insects and disease problems could damage your new tree or shrub.
The Louisiana Nursery list of fall and winter herbs:
Basil
Borage
Burnett Salad
Calendula
Chervil
Cilantro
Dill
Fennel-Bronze
Lavender
Mints
Mustard-Red
Parsley-Plain
Parsley Curly
Rosemary
Sage
Sorrel
Thyme
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They note that 'when planting in the Fall of the year, plants will gradually flow into their dormancy with the lengthening of the nights and first frosts. There isn't much time for active growth in the Fall. The energy stored goes to growing and strengthening the root system for even stronger, healthier plants in Spring. Often, this head start will increase the chance of survival through our long, hot southern summers.'
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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