On a leisurely drive to town using the back roads there's the distinct odor of burning leaves in the air. The maples have already given up their leaves, but the oaks and beech cling to theirs. Jack-o-lanterns on porches greet visitors clad in turtlenecks and sweaters. 

I take note of all the gardens along the way. Most are already put to bed - stripped bare, Fall winds blowing the topsoil to places unknown. Other gardens have been planted with cover crops of clover and winter rye. This protects the topsoil from wind erosion with the added benefit of preventing weeds from growing and adding humus to the soil when "turned under" in the spring. Other gardeners have covered their gardens with the fallen leaves to protect the soil. That's smart. It's a no cost way to protect the topsoil and in the spring just rake off the leaves which are partially decomposed to be used later as mulch.

Only occasionally did I come across a garden with crops like the one I passed by with Brussels sprouts, broccoli and lettuce still flourishing. It was so nice to see someone gardening in the Northeast who knew how to stretch the gardening season. Well, not really stretching the season, but utilizing the season to its fullest by the timely planting of cold hardy crops in mid summer.

Vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower actually taste sweeter after having gone through several frosts and will continue to grow until the bitter cold sets in. There are many vegetables and herbs that will flourish when allowed to mature in the cooler autumn temperatures. As a bonus, drought and pests aren't factors in a fall garden. Try some of these:

Brussels sprouts

Broccoli

Lettuce

Swiss chard / ruby chard

Carrots (harvest in snow)

Beets

Celery

Many oriental veggies

Parsnips (harvest in the spring)

Arugala

Parsley

Sage

Dill

Planting these vegetables and herbs will not only extend your harvest season, but the variety of foods available. When your neighbors are purchasing fresh veggies at the market, you will still be out in the garden with your picking basket garnering a fresh meal. How wonderful!

- Floating row covers used to protect crops from insect damage can be used to protect crops from frost as well.

- Crops that mature in fall make good winter keepers. Look for seed varieties labeled as such for next years crop.

- Carrots can be left right in the soil and harvested in mid winter. All that is necessary is to keep the soil from freezing by mulching heavily. We have used hay over a sheet of plastic to do this and found unexpectedly that parsley can be harvested this way as well.

- Simple cold frames can be constructed and used to grow salad greens well into the fall (and into winter depending on the construction).

- Plants located in sheltered areas of the garden often outlive their counterparts located elsewhere. Stone used in constructing a garden bed will release the days accumulated heat and protect plants from cold at night.

Even tender plants like basil can be extended in this way.