I Left My Garden on Read

This summer, my own garden had to go through a little natural selection. With travel pulling me away, it became a case of survival of the fittest. Some plants didn’t make it, but a few stubborn ones thrived. My peppers are still producing like champs, and the real stars of the season were the watermelon and golden honeydew melons that somehow loved the neglect.

After harvesting what was salvageable, I cleared out the beds and am ready for a fresh start. Fall is redemption season in the garden, and in our plant hardiness zone 8a, it’s actually one of the best times to grow.

Why Fall Gardening Works in Zone 8a

• Cooler nights and gentler rains make life easier for plants and gardeners.

• Pest and weed pressure drops compared to summer.

• Many fall crops get sweeter after a light frost.

What You Can Plant This Fall

• Leafy greens: kale, collards, spinach, arugula, Swiss chard

• Root crops: carrots, beets, turnips, radishes

• Brassicas: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts

• Quick wins: lettuce and radishes for fast harvests

Timing Tip

Our first frost usually arrives in late October or early November. Plant early enough so your crops have time to mature, or lean on transplants from local nurseries if you’re running behind.

• Check your seed packet for days to maturity. For example, carrots might need 70 days, while radishes need only 30.

• Plant long-season crops (like broccoli or cabbage) as early as September so they have time to develop before the frost.

• Save the quick growers (like spinach, lettuce, and radishes) for October, since they’ll thrive in cooler weather and don’t mind a light frost.

• If you feel behind, don’t give up, grab transplants from your local nursery to skip the waiting game.

Think of fall gardening as a rhythm: start the slow-dancers early, then bring in the quick-steppers later.

My Fall Redemption Plan

After a summer of hit-or-miss care, I’m making a few promises to my garden this fall:

1. Water consistently. No more depending on chance rain showers, I’ll be intentional about giving my seedlings what they need.

2. Mulch generously. A good layer of mulch will help keep soil moisture steady, especially if warm days linger.

3. Succession plant. Instead of planting everything at once, I’ll stagger sowings of lettuce and radishes so there’s always something fresh to harvest.

4. Stay present. Even if it’s just 10 minutes in the morning, I’ll check in with my garden regularly, because the truth is, neglect never grows abundance.

The best part of gardening is that it always gives us another chance. My watermelons reminded me that sometimes beauty can thrive even in chaos, but this fall, I’m choosing to nurture, not just hope.

So if you also left your garden “on read” this summer, consider this your invitation to start again. Your garden is ready to forgive you — just text back:

“Hey, I’m here now.” Happy gardening!