5. Intercrop in the Shade of Summer Vegetables
In late summer, your garden is likely still dominated by large, sprawling summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Instead of waiting for these plants to die off completely before planting your autumn garden, you can utilize a space-saving technique known as intercropping. By planting your cool-season crops in the shade cast by these mature summer giants, you can get a head start on the autumn season.
Delicate cool-season seedlings, such as spinach, lettuce, and cilantro, often struggle in the intense heat of late August and early September. Planting them on the eastern or northern side of your tomato cages provides them with vital afternoon shade, keeping the soil cool and preventing the young plants from drying out. By the time the summer crops are spent and removed from the garden, your autumn crops will have established strong root systems and will be ready to take over the newly opened space.