073– Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening - Mike Cunningham

Mike and Judy Cunningham are harvesting the last summer crops at Country Gardens Farm.Fall gardening is just beginning. Mike takes a break to talk about his favorite time of the year in the garden.Some of the things you will discover in this episode are the best practices Mike implements for soils, plant selections, and timing. All important for a successful fall harvest.Mike and Judy Cunningham have been teaching people how to grow, cook, and preserve good organic food for over 10 years.Country Gardens Farm is a third-generation family farm growing a wide assortment of organic year-round vegetables they sale to the community from their 3 acres.Mike with lots of input from Judy authored his successful "Seven Steps to an Organic Vegetable Garden"You will remember Mike's openness in sharing his successful methods for growing good food in our inaugural episode 001 of "The Garden Question" Podcast.This episode 073 “Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening” an edited and remix version of episode 017 with Mike Cunningham. In this episode of The Garden Question podcast, host Craig McManus speaks with Mike Cunningham about the fundamentals of fall organic vegetable gardening. The discussion covers best practices for soil management, plant selections, and timing, crucial for successful fall harvests. Mike shares insights on protecting plants from cold weather, the differences between summer and fall crops, and the importance of soil nutrition. Additionally, the episode highlights the benefits of cover crops and practical tips for container gardening. Listeners will also learn about managing pests organically and how Mike and his wife Judy teach their community to grow, cook, and preserve organic food at their third-generation Country Gardens Farm in Georgia.Time Line00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast00:41 Meet Mike and Judy Cunningham02:02 Why Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden?03:17 Protecting Plants from Cold Weather04:30 Differences Between Fall and Summer Crops05:04 Planting Onions and Garlic for Spring Harvest07:26 Understanding Days to Maturity (DTM)09:01 Growing Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts14:41 Carrots: A Sweet Winter Treat16:11 Container Gardening Tips17:27 Growing Leafy Greens in Containers19:50 Fall Gardening: Brassicas and More23:12 Dealing with Pests in the Fall Garden26:38 Safe Insect Control with BT27:31 Dealing with Aphids and Other Pests28:29 Protecting Your Garden from Deer and Rabbits29:37 The Importance of Soil Health31:06 Using Organic Fertilizers34:27 Planting and Caring for Transplants38:05 Winter Cover Crops and Soil Maintenance40:28 Handling Plant Debris and No-Till Methods42:20 Farm Events and Seasonal Activities45:06 Learning and Growing with Nature47:55 About Country Gardens Farm49:49 Conclusion and Podcast Information