What I’m Planting this Fall
The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul. - Alfred Austin
One of the things I discovered about myself during the COVID-19 pandemic is that I love to garden and spend time outdoors. There is something so calming and good for the soul about being out in nature and surrounded by plants. This year, I have decided to keep my green thumb going by planting a few things over September and October for the upcoming season. I spent my Sunday roaming around the lovely Merrifield Garden Center and drawing inspiration for what I will plant.
Carnival Blend Carrots
While I’m not totally sure how these will do, I love the idea of having an abundance of carrots with beautiful fall colors.
Spinach
We go through spinach so quickly in our home, and the spinach I planted in the spring thrived! I’m looking forward to planting more and reaping the benefits in the coming months.
Broccoli
I haven’t attempted to grow broccoli before, but I’ve read so many articles speaking to its durability and hardiness in the cooler months. Fresh broccoli in the fall and winter is a necessity for me (for one, I love my family’s broccoli soup recipe and frozen broccoli just won’t do for it).
Beets
Beets seem to be a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it vegetable, and I fall strongly on the side of love! There are few things that sound more delicious in the fall to me than a warm beet and goat cheese salad.
Garlic
I use garlic in so many of my recipes, and the thought of growing my own is so exciting! I will be planting this much later in the season once we get closer to our first frost, and I am already excited to harvest it in the summer!
If you’re in northern Virginia, I highly recommend visiting Merrifield Garden Center. In addition to a massive selection of plants, flowers, herbs, and trees, Merrifield also has a delightful shop with beautiful home décor items, home fragrances, gardening supplies, tablescape inspiration, and specialty wines and condiments.
