Here, in Climate Zone 14, also known as Solano and Napa counties, we are blessed with a growing season that officially lasts from early March to mid- November, but you can stretch it even longer if you pick the right plants and time everything correctly. With our mild microclimate, it is very possible to grow vegetables in two, or even three, seasons. Spring and summer vegetables can make way for a fall and winter harvest, as several kinds of vegetables do very well in our area when the weather chills down.
What fall crops grow best in Solano County? Think spring. Whatever does well in spring will do well, or even better, in fall. Radishes, peas and lettuce will produce nicely in a fall planting. Cole family vegetables - cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower - actually prefer the chill, and will hang in there over the winter. Root crops will overwinter really well. About the biggest threat to fall and winter crops would be overly damp soil, or the threat of frost.
If you want to get started now, in early September, reach for lettuce, turnips, carrots and onion seeds. You could also start rutabagas, brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi from seed, but if you want to be assured of success, wait a bit until there are plants available. You could also try celery, and some herbs, such as basil, cilantro and dill. But these tender herbs will disappear at the first sign of chill.
September and early October is also a good time to start spinach, peas and fava beans. If you only grow one thing in your fall garden, try lettuce. Home-grown lettuce, particularly the darker-leaved versions, is very tasty and packed with healthy vitamins. It's difficult to get going in a spring garden in the most eastern parts of Solano County, because our springs can go from damp and chilly to warm very quickly and the instant heat will make lettuce "bolt." Locations closer to the water - such as Benicia and Vallejo - will tolerate lettuce much better.
What plants will have the best chance of making it through to next January or February? Cool weather plants include turnips and parsnips. They are frost-hardy and actually love the cool weather. Turnips will be ready anywhere from 30 to 60 days after planting. For carrots, they can be harvested anywhere from 40 days for baby carrots, to 80 days for full-sized ones. If our winter is mild, it is possible they can stay in the ground until next spring. Parsnips take a long time to mature, so start them early.
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli - members of the cole family - also prefer the cool weather of fall and may even produce a more tasty vegetable if they are allowed to be touched by a bit of chill. Savoy cabbage heads can grow to be quite large, so make sure you plant it in a place where it can spread. Plant these vegetables in well-drained soil and, as with all areas of the garden, keep the area around the plants weeded.
If you don't want to plant the entire garden, you could downsize to a cold frame or container garden for your fall crops. A container garden - such as a big pot or a wine barrel - set near the kitchen door makes it easy to reach out the door and harvest. The container could hold some lettuce, a few onion bulbs, some herbs - such as basil or cilantro - radishes and carrots for a quick salad.
A cold frame can protect your more tender crops from frosts. It will also come in handy next spring, when you can use it to get a head start on seedlings for next summer's garden
