Penelope Torres Introduction
Autumn may signal the transition to cooler weather, but it’s not too late to continue sowing and growing in your garden. With careful planning and selection of cold-hardy varieties, you can extend your growing season well into the fall and winter months. Peas and beans, known for their resilience, are excellent choices for fall planting, providing a bountiful harvest even in chilly conditions.
Selecting the Right Varieties
When it comes to fall planting, choosing the right varieties is essential for success. Opt for smooth, round-seeded pea varieties, as they tend to fare better in colder, wetter conditions compared to wrinkled-seeded ones. Here are some pea and bean varieties well-suited for fall planting:
Pea Varieties for Fall Planting
- Avola
- Amelioree d’Auvergne
- Douce Provence
- Feltham First
- Glory of Devon
- Hatif d’Annonay
- Meteor
Dwarf varieties like Douce Provence and Meteor are particularly recommended for their compact size, making them easier to manage and protect during the colder months. Meteor, in particular, stands out for its excellent cold hardiness and modest height, ideal for small spaces and polytunnel cultivation.
Protection and Management Tips
While polytunnels offer some protection from the elements, additional measures may be necessary to safeguard overwintering peas, especially from pests like mice and voles. Choosing dwarf varieties facilitates easier protection, allowing for effective coverage during the coldest periods.
Fava Bean Varieties for Fall Planting
Fava beans, renowned for their hardiness, thrive in fall planting conditions and can be successfully overwintered in various regions. Popular fava bean varieties for fall planting include:
- Aguadulce Claudia
- Superaguadulce
- Witkiem Manita
These varieties have demonstrated resilience in polytunnel cultivation, providing a reliable source of harvest even during colder months. Additionally, hardier field beans offer an alternative for those seeking edible yields in less forgiving climates, albeit with potentially smaller harvests compared to traditional fava bean varieties.
Conclusion
By selecting appropriate pea and bean varieties and implementing effective management practices, you can enjoy a thriving garden throughout the fall and winter seasons. Whether you’re cultivating peas in a polytunnel or overwintering fava beans outdoors, the key lies in choosing resilient varieties tailored to your specific growing conditions. With these tips, you can make the most of your fall garden, reaping the rewards of fresh, homegrown produce even as temperatures drop.
