Summer is almost over, tomatoes are ripe, peppers and cukes are coming to an end. However, the end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of your vegetable garden. There are many edibles that can be grown for harvest in the fall, winter or even over-wintered for harvest in spring.

Kale, cabbage and other brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower do very well in cooler weather. In areas with mild climates, these vegetables don’t usually need any extra protection. Those of you who live with harsher winters, frost protection would be necessary. Consider using cold frames, raised bed covers or some other season extenders to offer a slightly warmer microclimate for your plants.

Except in extreme cold, season extenders keep frosts and snow from coming into direct contact with your winter vegetable plants, thus damaging them. They also offer you more control over how much water they get so that they don’t get rained on too much. Depending upon the quality of the extender, it warms the air inside 5-10 degrees over the outside air temperature. Using compost and mulch can add even more protection and warmth to the inside air.

Other types of vegetables that are grown in cold weather are spinach, endive, chard, carrots, radish, lettuces and other salad greens and much more. Garlic, bulb onions and leeks can be planted in late summer for greens during fall and winter and then fully harvested late spring to early summer. Green salad onions do well during colder weather as well. Certain herbs like parsley and cilantro can be grown and used during the winter. Garden sage, rosemary and thyme can also be actively used during the colder months, but may need extra protection.

There are several benefits of winter gardening. In my opinion, the best benefit is health-related. During darker, shorter winter days, we simply don’t get out and

about as much. Gardening offers a bit of exercise, fresh air and a continued connection to our environment. Harvesting and consuming the fruits of our labor keeps us eating lots of dark leafy greens, which we’re being told more than ever is a must for improved health. For those veggies we are overwintering, we get a 2-6 week jump-start on our spring growing season – giving us even more for our “main season” harvest as well.

There are several vegetables that actually taste better and sweeter after a mild frost than during warmer weather. Depending upon the variety, certain collards, lettuces, arugula and others can taste more bitter or peppery in warm weather but have a much different taste if being grown during cool to cold weather. So if you don’t like the stronger flavors of some of these veggies during spring and summer, try growing them in the fall and winter. You might have a different take on them!

During the winter bugs and other pests are less prevalent. However, slugs can still be an issue. They are drawn to the warmth that the season extenders create so keep an eye on those little buggers! See one of my previous articles on natural slug control for ideas on how to deal with them.

One thing to be careful of when using season extenders is over watering and good air circulation. Using plant covers keeps soil warmth in, but also keeps moisture in as well. Be sure you don’t over water and open or remove your covers on warmer days to get some air circulation to your garden.

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