Tend your garden with these tips
Once you have your garden — or if you want to get a head start — check out these plant care tips! Download and print these basic guidelines to help you learn or, if you’re an experienced grower, share them with someone who is just beginning.
Remember, we learn as much from what doesn’t grow as what does, so whether your plants thrive or falter, you’ve added valuable skills and are better equipped for the next grow season!
Tips for growing
Take a deeper dive into the needs of your seedlings! Get tips like the best time to plant, how much to water, how to fertilize, and when to harvest by clicking on each vegetable below.
Turnip Greens
Collard Greens
Beets
Cabbage
Spinach
Turnip Greens
Turnip greens are a fast-growing, cool-season crop that is easy to cultivate and can be harvested multiple times. They can be grown for their tender, nutritious leaves in both spring and fall.
Best Time to Plant
For a fall crop, plant from late August to October. Cooler weather in the fall results in sweeter, more tender leaves.
Site Selection and Soil
- Choose a spot with full sun (at least six hours per day) and well-drained soil.
- Work several inches of compost or other organic matter into the top 4-10 inches of soil to prepare the bed.
Planting Seeds
- Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart.
Rows should be 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and easy harvesting. - If you’re planting for greens exclusively, you can sow seeds more densely, as crowding promotes larger foliage and smaller roots.
Watering
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during germination and development.
- A soaker hose or drip irrigation is ideal for keeping the leaves dry and healthy.
Fertilizing
- If you are growing only for greens, you can use a high-nitrogen fertilizer to promote leafy growth.
- If you also want to harvest the turnip root, use a balanced fertilizer, as too much nitrogen will promote leafy growth at the expense of the root.
Pest and Disease Prevention
- Common pests include aphids, mites, and cabbage worms.
- Row covers can protect young plants from pests.
- Proper spacing and watering at the soil level can help prevent diseases like black rot.
Harvesting and Storing
Harvest Timing
Turnip greens can be ready for their first harvest in as little as 30 to 40 days, depending on the variety.
Harvesting Method
- Harvest the outer leaves once they are 4 to 6 inches tall, leaving the center leaves to continue growing. This “cut-and-come-again” method allows for multiple harvests.
- Harvesting after a light frost can make the leaves taste sweeter.
- For the best flavor, harvest leaves in the morning.
Storing
- Store unwashed leaves in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- For longer storage, you can blanch and freeze the greens.
- Growing turnip greens is a rewarding way to get fresh, healthy vegetables from your garden.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are an excellent cool-weather crop for a fall harvest, and the flavor of the leaves actually improves after a light frost.
Best Time to Plant
- For a fall crop, you should plant seeds or transplants about 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost.
- Transplants can be planted in late summer, about 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost, or around mid-August to the beginning of September.
- For continuous harvest, you can direct-seed in mid-summer.
Site Selection and Soil
- Choose a spot with full sun (at least 6 hours per day) and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8.
- Prepare the soil by mixing in several inches of organic matter, such as compost.
Planting Seeds
- Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep. If direct seeding, space seeds 18 to 24 inches apart.
Watering
- Collards need consistent moisture, so provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly if rainfall is insufficient.
Mulching
- Add a 3-inch layer of organic mulch, like compost or finely ground leaves, to help the soil retain moisture and keep weeds down.
Fertilizing
- Collards are heavy feeders, so feed them regularly with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to support leafy growth.
Pest and Disease Prevention
- Fall-planted collards are often less susceptible to pests like cabbage worms, as these insects are less active in cooler weather.
Harvesting
Harvest Timing
- Begin harvesting the outer, lower leaves when they are about 10 inches long and still young and tender. New leaves will continue to grow from the center of the plant.
Harvesting Tips
- Enhanced flavor: The flavor of collards is sweeter when the leaves have been touched by a light frost, making a fall harvest especially delicious.
- Winter protection: Collards are very cold-hardy, but if you want to extend your harvest well into winter, cover your plants with a floating row cover during prolonged freezing temperatures.
Beets
Fall is a great time to grow beets in Tennessee, as the cooler temperatures enhance their sweetness. You’ll want to plant them in late summer to early fall to take advantage of the milder weather and avoid the extreme heat of mid-summer, which can cause beets to become woody.
Best Time to Plant
- Best time: Start sowing beet seeds in Tennessee from mid-August through September for a harvest in late fall and early winter.
- Time to maturity: Beets typically take about 50 to 70 days to mature, so be sure to check the specific variety you are planting.
- Frost tolerant: A light frost can even improve the flavor, so don’t rush to harvest immediately.
Site Selection and Soil
- Beets grow best in a sunny spot that receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Work plenty of compost or other organic matter into the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.
- The soil should be loose, well-drained, and free of rocks, which can cause the beet roots to become misshapen.
- For fall planting, heavier soil is acceptable as the weather cools, while lighter, sandy soil is preferred in the spring when the ground needs to warm up faster.
Planting Seeds
- Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep and one inch apart.
- Keep rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Soaking seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting can help speed up germination.
Watering
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and early growth.
- A 1- to 2-inch layer of organic mulch, like chopped leaves or straw, will help retain moisture and keep weeds down.
Fertilizing
- Use a fertilizer with a higher ratio of phosphorus and potassium rather than nitrogen, as too much nitrogen will promote leafy greens at the expense of the root.
- A ratio such as 5-10-10 or 1-2-2 is ideal.
Thinning and Weeding
- Beet seeds often contain multiple seeds in one pod, so thinning is essential for good root development.
- When the seedlings are about 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them to 3 to 4 inches apart.
- Carefully pull or snip the smaller seedlings at soil level. The greens you remove can be used in salads.
- Keep the beet bed free of weeds, which compete for moisture and nutrients.
Harvesting
Harvest Timing
- Harvest the beets when the roots are about 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter for the most tender, flavorful harvest.
- You can also harvest some of the greens once the roots are at least 1 inch across, but only take a few leaves per plant to allow the root to keep developing.
Cabbage
To grow cabbage successfully in Tennessee for a fall harvest, you should plant it during the cool, late summer months of August and early September. The milder temperatures and reduced pest activity compared to spring can lead to a more flavorful and sweeter crop.
Best Time to Plant
- Plant seeds or transplants between mid-August and early September. Planting too late may not allow the heads enough time to mature before a hard freeze.
- Use transplants: Since you are planting later in the season, using transplants is a good way to give your plants a head start.
Site Selection and Soil
- Choose a spot with at least six to eight hours of full sun each day.
- Cabbage thrives in fertile, well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Enrich the soil with several inches of organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to provide the necessary nutrients.
Planting Seeds
- Space plants about 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the variety.
- Plant the seedlings about an inch or two deeper than they were in their pots
Watering
- Cabbage needs consistent moisture, so provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, especially as the heads begin to form. Water deeply and regularly to prevent the heads from splitting.
Mulching
- Apply a 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw or chopped leaves, to help the soil retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilizing
- Cabbage is a heavy feeder, so you should fertilize regularly.
- Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer like fish emulsion or compost tea every 2 to 3 weeks until the heads begin to form.
Pest and Disease Prevention
- Fall-planted cabbage is less prone to pests than spring crops, but you should still watch for cabbage worms and aphids. A mesh netting or row cover can provide protection.
Harvesting and Storing
Harvest Timing
- Harvesting: Harvest your cabbage when the heads are firm and have reached the desired size for the variety.
Storing
- For short-term storage, you can keep heads wrapped in the refrigerator for up to two months. For longer storage, a root cellar can keep them for several months.
Spinach
You can grow a successful crop of spinach in Tennessee during the fall by planting in late summer and early fall. The shorter days and cooler temperatures of autumn prevent the spinach from “bolting” (producing flowers and seeds) and turning bitter, while also enhancing its flavor.
Best Time to Plant
- The best time to plant spinach for a fall harvest in Tennessee is from late August through September.
- For an overwintered crop that provides an early spring harvest, you can sow seeds in September or October.
Site Selection and Soil
- Choose a spot that gets full sun to part shade. Spinach grows best in fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
- Work several inches of compost or aged manure into the soil to improve its moisture retention and nutrient content.
Planting Seeds
- Sow seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Space your rows 12 to 18 inches apart. You can also broadcast seeds over a prepared bed.
- Tip for warmer weather: If you’re planting in late summer while soil temperatures are still high, soak your seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting or pre-sprout them in the refrigerator.
Watering
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In Tennessee’s warmer early fall weather, you may need to water frequently to prevent the soil from drying out. A soaker hose is an excellent tool for providing consistent moisture.
Mulching
- Apply a layer of organic mulch like straw or chopped leaves to help keep the soil moist and cool, which is especially important during the last warm days of late summer.
Fertilizing
- Spinach is a heavy feeder. Side-dress the plants with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer or compost tea about two weeks after planting to support leafy growth.
Weeding and Thinning
- Once seedlings have grown a few inches tall, thin them to 4 to 6 inches apart to allow for proper growth. You can use the thinned seedlings in salads.
Harvesting and Storing
Harvest Timing
- Harvesting method: You can begin harvesting baby spinach leaves when they reach about 3 inches long. For mature leaves, wait until they are 6 inches long.
- Sustained harvest: Harvest the outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing. This “cut-and-come-again” method extends your harvest.
- Overwintering: For an early spring crop, sow seeds in September and cover the plants with a row cover or mulch before the first hard frost.
Start Growing
Don’t have your garden yet? Become a Grow Partner and get your free seasonal seedlings! Register to become a Grow Partner or look for upcoming distribution events. For more information, email us info@everbloomfarmacy.org.