494 - Fall Broccoli and Tomatoes in a 100° September:: My Season of Adjustments (Part 2)

Growing fall vegetables when temperatures won't drop can be frustrating, even for experienced gardeners. What can you do to help broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower survive extreme heat? And which crops might surprise you? After six weeks of 100-degree temperatures and drought in my Arkansas garden, I'm sharing what worked, what struggled, and what I'll change next year. We'll talk about planting dates, choosing broccoli varieties, using shade cloth, managing irrigation, and protecting transplants. I'll also share my surprising success with bok choy and what happened to my tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers when the heat just wouldn't let up.

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/fQTlF_XNBHg?si=6Zxg_ScpZVXoBsFt

Free Download: Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage Quick-Start Growing Guide

Learn when to plant, how to protect your crops, and how to grow healthier brassicas in spring and fall.

http://journeywithjill.net/broccoli-guide

Key Takeaways

• Choose short-season broccoli varieties and plant early enough for fall harvests.

• Use shade cloth for transplant protection while allowing airflow and adequate sunlight.

• Pot up seedlings before they become root-bound and harden them off carefully.

• Keep soil consistently moist without overwatering, especially during extreme heat.

• Learn which fall and summer crops tolerated the heat and how to adjust your garden next year.

Chapters

00:00 – Why this fall garden was different

02:13 – Learning from difficult growing seasons

04:34 – How past failures improved my broccoli

06:54 – Choosing broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower

09:58 – Avoid planting broccoli too late

12:16 – Using shade cloth and watering correctly

14:34 – Preventing root-bound broccoli seedlings

16:53 – Hardening off transplants in extreme heat

19:09 – Preparing soil and transplanting successfully

21:30 – How fall brassicas handled 100-degree heat

23:44 – Growing bok choy for summer salads

26:08 – Finding new ways to harvest bok choy

28:30 – Why tomatoes struggled in extreme heat

30:55 – Growing tomatoes from suckers

31:14 – Late-season cucumbers, squash, and zucchini

33:38 – Why peppers benefited from shade

34:44 – What this growing season taught me

37:08 – Reflecting on your garden and planning ahead

Resource Links

Free Broccoli, Cauliflower & Cabbage Quick-Start Growing Guide: http://journeywithjill.net/broccoli-guide

The Beginner's Garden Resource Vault: https://journeywithjill.net/free-garden-downloads

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Disclaimer

Gardening advice shared in this podcast is based on my own experience in Zone 8a (Arkansas) and from the feedback I receive from others in different gardening contexts. Your results may differ depending on your location, climate, and growing conditions. Always check your local extension service or trusted resources for region-specific guidance.

Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.