Last time, I talked about fall planting.  In this post, I want to talk more about fall food you can grow.  When you think of fall, you might not think about growing food, but there are some great opportunities. I like to grow food that is sometimes harder for me to grow in the spring including greens, peas, and herbs like cilantro. It is a challenge with the cooler weather and the shortening days. I love arugula and cilantro, for example, but in the spring, as the temperatures warm, I often find that these plants start flowering, also known as bolting, even before I get edible leaves. I also really like spinach and Swiss Chard and with minimal covering can grow these greens well into the winter months. With a lot of covering, you might be able to grow them all winter.  I’m also trying to grow sweet pea flowers in the fall for the first time this year. I have grown sweet peas in the spring in the past with mixed success, so I’m hopeful fall planting will be more successful.  Carrots can also be good to plant overwinter. 

For keeping your fall and winter harvest going, having something to protect your crops is important.  I have a small coldframe that I keep on the sunny side of my house.  That has worked pretty well for me in the past.  I also have some fabric row covers and hoops to cover crops I’ve planted in my raised beds.