With more time on our hands (and time spent at home), many people are turning to vegetable gardening as a productive hobby this year. Tending to a garden not only offers homegrown, healthy vegetables, but also a sense of fulfillment and peace.
Thankfully, if you live in Long Beach or other areas of Southern California, then the sowing and reaping can continue well into autumn and even into the winter months.
The Best Fall Veggies to Plan in Long Beach
Planting calendars are an invaluable source for information as to when to sow fall vegetable seeds. Frost is infrequent, or even non-existent, in the Long Beach area. However, it is still important to know the frost dates.
Fall’s first frost date is December 15th and spring’s last frost date is February 1st. You can use these dates and a planting calendar to calculate your planting schedule to get the most out of your garden this fall. Since some parts of California have no frost dates, vegetables can be in the ground year-round.
The following are perfect vegetables for a fall garden that can be sown near the end of September and beginning of October.
- Broccoli – Can reduce the risk of several diseases including cancer.
- Cauliflower – High in vitamin C and manganese and is linked to cancer prevention.
- Cabbage – Has cholesterol-lowering and cancer-prevention benefits.
- Collards – Rich in vitamins A, C and K and calcium.
- Kale – High in fiber and antioxidants and rich in iron and vitamins K, A, and C.
October planting can include:
- Kohlrabi – Rich in vitamins C and B6, which supports immune health, protein metabolism, and red blood cell production.
- Turnips – Loaded with fiber and vitamins K, A, C, E, and B vitamins.
- Beets – Help with detoxing, lowering blood pressure, and improving heart health.
- Pole or bush beans – Excellent source of fiber, protein, and B vitamins which is linked to reducing blood sugar, improving cholesterol levels and help in maintaining a healthy gut.
- Swiss chard – Contains vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids helping to protect the skin from radical damage and to moisturize and lubricate.
- Radishes – Excellent source of antioxidants, electrolytes, minerals, vitamin, and fiber.
Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean that growing season is over. Planning a fall vegetable garden will have a continuing bounty of fresh homegrown vegetables packed with healthy benefits.
