The main advantage of growing Bingo, Merced or Whirlaway in the fall is their firmness of fruit and ability to develop a deep red color if harvested green to avoid freeze damage. Surefire and Heatwave are the only tomato varieties which will set flowers and fruit during the heat of September and are thus the earliest maturing tomatoes of a fall planting. The fruit size of Surefire is dependent upon cultural techniques used to grow the plant but it is the longest storing of any tomato variety on the market. The best bell pepper, Summer Sweet 860, is also available in local nurseries. Of course larger transplants will cost more but the ease of establishment may be worth the extra funds.
Proper timing is probably the most important factor in successful fall gardening.
Regardless of variety selected or cultural practices used, if a gardener does not do the right thing at the right time, any chances of success are diminished. With these dates in mind, a gardener can decide which frost-susceptible vegetables to plant, when to plant and whether to use transplants or seeds. Duration of these crops is dependent upon when the first killing frost occurs and the cold tolerance of the vegetables. Frost protection and the planting of a cereal rye cover crop are facilitated if such a grouping system is used. Frost-susceptible vegetables include beans, cantaloupes, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, peas, peppers, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes and watermelons.