In the Vegetable Garden – October 2018 – Travis County Master Gardeners Association

By Patty Leander
Photos by Patty and Bruce Leander

All brassica leaves are edible, including these vigorous kohlrabi leaves.

Let the planting continue! After a hot, Hot, HOT summer, the rains arrived and temperatures moderated. It doesn’t always coincide as nicely as it did last month, but gardeners sure appreciate it when it does. Planting into moist soil is key to getting fall vegetables established, as well as providing a little shade for transplants during the first week or two in their new outdoor home.
Keep your brassicas growing fast and strong for optimum growth and production. Incorporate a balanced fertilizer such as 15-5-10 before planting, then provide small amounts of liquid or granular fertilizer throughout the season. If using granular fertilizer scratch it into the soil and water it in well. The ideal plant will have large, full leaves before heads begin to develop.

Here is the vegetable gardener’s checklist for October:

Plant softneck varieties of garlic this month.

Plant garlic this month. Softneck varieties are preferable for our region, these include Artichoke varieties (California Early, Inchelium Red, Texas Rose), and Creole varieties (Creole Red, Cuban Purple) and Silverskin varieties (Silver White, Silver Rose). Hardneck varieties generally require colder winters but it may be worth experimenting with some varieties such as Metichi, Music or German White.
When harvesting pumpkins or winter squash be sure to wait until the rind is hard and cut fruit from the vine leaving about an inch of stem attached.
Harvest basil leaves and make pesto or basil oil; freeze in ice cube trays, small canning jars or plastic bags to add vibrant flavor to soups and sauces during winter.
Be sure to water regularly if rain is not in the forecast.
If you have space, continue to plant seeds of carrots, radishes, beets, turnips and transplants of cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. And don’t forget kohlrabi!
Plant lettuce, spinach and other greens.
After seeding and germination, thin vegetables to the recommended spacing.
Watch out for cabbage looper and harlequin bug this time of year. They love brassicas and can inflict severe damage in a short period of time. Hand-pick or protect plants with floating row cover. Alternatively control with Bt for caterpillars and neem or insecticidal soap for harlequin bugs. These insecticides are most effective at the nymph or juvenile stage.