Plants to Plant Now:

When we think of our vegetable garden in the Fall we usually think of harvesting it. Surprisingly though, there are a few edibles planted now that will be ready to eat in only a few weeks. They thrive in the cooler temperatures happening around now.

Spinach can be planted in rows or just broadcast the seed which takes less work. It does well in cool soil, so it's a great fall-planting option. If you are working in an established bed, you don't need to till the soil. Actually, it is probably best not to till the soil before planting because it can bring up weeds growing under the soil.

First, use a rake to break up any clumps and smooth out the surface of your soil. Since spinach has a shallow root system, you do not have to make furrows for the seeds very deep or rough up the area very deeply if you choose to broadcast the seeds. When you broadcast the seeds, just grab a handful of seeds and gently toss them onto the planting area.

Then using a rake, gently cover the seeds. Next water the area with a light mist or spray. Don't let your soil dry out in between waterings. The spinach roots develop best when watered properly. Spinach growth starts slowly and then accelerates during the final three weeks before harvest.

In just a couple of weeks the spinach will have small shoots, and it can be harvested in about four to six weeks as small tender tasty leaves. Do not harvest the whole plant�"roots included. Spinach can fall dormant through the winter and come alive again in the spring�"a nice surprise.

Another good cool-season crop is garlic. It grows as a bulb underground and will be ready to harvest in June. Each clove you plant (the seed) will produce a whole bulb of garlic. Start with a clove from a farmer’s market rather than one bought at the grocery store. It will produce larger tastier bulbs. The grocery store garlic might also be treated to not sprout.

Before planting add compost material to the soil. Garlic will be in the ground growing for about nine months, so it needs lots of nutrients to keep growing. Plant the cloves in rows a foot apart four to six inches apart within the rows for good bulb size and good yield.

Another plant which is beautiful and edible that can also be planted for a late fall harvest is the pansy. Pansies like rich, well-drained soil and sunny conditions. Pansies are sold as transplants in the fall. Plant them deep enough so that the root ball is covered and the plant is above ground. Do not fertilize these pansy transplants in the fall because it makes them more susceptible to damage. When the flowers are picked throughout the winter season to use in salads and for decorative effects on cakes, they will continue to bloom, even when there is snow on the ground.