This post is all about the joy and productivity of growing wonderful, delicious vegetables through the Fall season.
While the concepts in this post hold true for anywhere, the specifics apply to the greater Philadelphia area, USDA Hardiness Zone 7A (which includes Conshohocken).
Why is this a great time to grow?
- Because leafy greens and root vegetables taste far better than if they are grown in warm/hot weather
- Cool weather means plants do not go to seed so quickly (means longer harvest)
- More rain means less watering; cooler weather means less weeds
Season (mid-Atlantic region zone 7a)
Mid-August until Jan/Feb (dependent on cold and wind; not dependent on snow)
Why do some vegetables need cold weather to taste good?
Very simplified answer: As a defense against cold weather, some plants convert stored starches into sugars to protect the outer layer of the plant from freezing, making the plant taste sweeter. For example, Brussel sprouts taste naturally bitter until the first freeze or snow when they convert starch in the stems to sugar and send it to the sprouts.
