Summer is a rough time of year for young garden plants due to the intense heat, dryness, and bug pressure. That is why I start seeds indoors and transplant late August or early September giving the young plants a fighting chance.

This is the very week to seed Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Swiss chard, and Cucumbers in trays. Cauliflower should have started 1-2 weeks ago.

Mid-August to mid-September is the time to direct sow. You should be rushing now to prepare your garden to directly sow seeds and to accept transplants. During late August, I direct sow the following: snap beans, pinto beans, lima beans, carrots, garlic, and southern peas. I will transplant the following: Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cauliflower, Swiss Chard, Cucumber, Lettuce, Parsley, Pepper, Winter Squash, Eggplant and Tomatoes.

Fall is a more difficult time of year to start a garden than Spring. Some years the summer heat stretches deep into September killing young plants and other years the frost will come early wrecking your harvest. A Fall Garden can be a true gamble. I recommend choosing seeds with a short maturity period. The key timing to remember are these frost dates (Risk: 11/12, Certain 11/29). Plant your garden to harvest prior to 11/12. The time we are granted after that date is pure luck.

FYI – The shortness of our Fall gardening season is why I choose the following types of vegetables to seed start:

Tomato – Oregon Spring: Maturity: 59 days from transplant

Tomato – Matt’s Wild Cherry: Maturity: 55 days from transplant

Eggplant – Shooting Stars: Maturity: 57 days from transplant

Pepper – Hot Sweet Heat: Maturity: 50-59 days from transplant

In contrast the types I would choose for Spring mature in 75 to 80 days after transplant. Some peppers might stretch out to 100 days.