Now is the Time to Sow the Fall Crop

That's right! It may be September, and the nights may be getting cooler, but that doesn't mean the gardening season is over. It's time for the Fall crop! Fall is the best time to sow leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, arugula, and collards, and also many other vegetables that bolt in the heat of the Summer like beets, peas, radishes and turnips. Here is an extensive list of Fall seeds from Park Seeds. Your local garden supply center should have a fresh batch of Fall seeds for sowing, but if they don't, you can always find already-sprouted seedlings at your garden center or common places like Lowe's or Home Depot.

Lettuce seeds are particularly fine, and when sown in rocky soil like mine, they don't sprout so well. To remedy this, dig a narrow trough about 1-1/2" deep and 2" wide, and fill it with 1" of potting soil. Spread your seeds in the trough, then pat them gently into the soil. Now, fill the trough with 1/2" potting soil, water and watch the seeds grow! Mine sprouted in only 3 days using this method.