Broccoli is among the easiest cole crops to grow in fall. (Photo by Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter)

Tomatoes provide an abundance of fruit during the cool fall season. (Photo by Dan Gill, LSU AgCenter)

For Release On 08/07/15

By Dan Gill 
LSU AgCenter Horticulturist

August is a transitional time in the vegetable garden. While cool-season planting begins in earnest next month, some of the more heat-tolerant cool-season vegetables, such as the cole crops, can be planted into the garden now. And because our first frosts generally don’t arrive until late November or early December, we can also plant warm-season vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers for fall production. You can visit area nurseries to find out which vegetable transplants and seeds they have available.

It is important to prepare beds properly before planting. Clear the site of all weeds or finished vegetable plants. Turn the soil with a shovel, fork or tiller to a depth of at least 8 inches, and cover the tilled soil with a 2-to-4-inch layer of organic matter, such as leaves, grass clippings, aged manure or compost. This helps maintain a high level of organic matter in the soil, which encourages a strong, healthy root system, improves drainage, retains moisture, provides nutrients and promotes vigorous plant growth.

Fertilizer can be sprinkled on top of the organic matter. Apply general-purpose fertilizer following package directions for rates. Gardeners should consider having their soil tested through their parish LSU AgCenter extension office to learn more about the soil fertility and which fertilizer to use. A soil test will also tell if the soil needs added lime.

Mix the organic matter and fertilizer thoroughly into the soil, turning the soil with a shovel, garden fork or a tiller until the added materials are evenly distributed. If you are not gardening in raised beds, form the soil into raised rows about 8 inches high and 2 to 4 feet wide, with narrow walkways between them. If you are gardening in containers, use a quality potting mix and fertilize with balanced soluble or slow-release fertilizers used according to label directions.

Insects and diseases have had all summer to build up their populations, and insects such as whiteflies, stink bugs, aphids and caterpillars are common this time of year. Because insect and disease pressures are often greater in late summer and early fall than in spring, watch plants carefully for problems and use appropriate control measures promptly when needed.

Now is the time to plant tomato and bell pepper transplants for fall production. If your pepper plants from spring are still in reasonably good shape, they will often produce an excellent fall crop once the weather begins to cool. This also goes for eggplants. Keep them well fertilized and protected from insects and diseases.

Spring-planted tomato plants rarely survive summer in decent shape, and new transplants are generally used for the fall crop. Tomato varieties that produce well in fall include Florida 91, Spitfire, Solar Set, Heatwave II, Phoenix, Sunleaper, Sunmaster, Solar Fire and Talladega. Plant several varieties and see which you like best.

Fall snap beans often produce better than those planted in spring. This is because as the fall snap beans come into production, temperatures begin to cool, while in spring the weather gets increasingly hotter as the beans produce their crop. Snap beans are one of the easiest and most reliable vegetables to grow and are especially appropriate for children’s gardens. Wait until late August in north Louisiana or early September in south Louisiana to plant so they will come into bloom after the weather has begun to turn cooler. And choose bush types. You also can plant bush lima beans.

Cole crops to be planted this month from seeds or transplants include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, rape and collards. Cole is the Old English word for cabbage, and these days is used to refer to this group of closely related vegetables. We still use the word when we call cabbage salad coleslaw.

Broccoli is one of the best and easiest to grow of the group. Transplants may be planted now through early October. Seeds can be planted now through early September. They may be planted into pots or flats and transplanted into the garden, or direct seeded into the garden where they will grow. Plant transplants 12 to 18 inches apart into well-prepared beds. The closer spacing will produce smaller heads but more total production.

Here’s a list of the vegetables that can be planted into the garden this month:

– Plant transplants of tomato, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage.

– Plant seeds of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, collards, cucumbers, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, turnips, squash, bush lima beans, bush snap beans and Swiss chard.

– Plant sets – small bulbs – of shallots and bunching onions.

– Plant small whole Irish potatoes saved from the spring crop.

Contact your parish LSU AgCenter office to receive a copy of the LSU AgCenter Vegetable Planting Guide, a free publication that will provide you with information on the year-round planting dates for many vegetables. This publication is also available online.