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 Line

00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast

00:41 Meet Mike and Judy Cunningham

02:02 Why Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden?

03:17 Protecting Plants from Cold Weather

04:30 Differences Between Fall and Summer Crops

05:04 Planting Onions and Garlic for Spring Harvest

07:26 Understanding Days to Maturity (DTM)

09:01 Growing Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts

14:41 Carrots: A Sweet Winter Treat

16:11 Container Gardening Tips

17:27 Growing Leafy Greens in Containers

19:50 Fall Gardening: Brassicas and More

23:12 Dealing with Pests in the Fall Garden

26:38 Safe Insect Control with BT

27:31 Dealing with Aphids and Other Pests

28:29 Protecting Your Garden from Deer and Rabbits

29:37 The Importance of Soil Health

31:06 Using Organic Fertilizers

34:27 Planting and Caring for Transplants

38:05 Winter Cover Crops and Soil Maintenance

40:28 Handling Plant Debris and No-Till Methods

42:20 Farm Events and Seasonal Activities

45:06 Learning and Growing with Nature

47:55 About Country Gardens Farm

49:49 Conclusion and Podcast Information