Everyone gets a little nostalgic when fall rolls around because we would so love to extend the wonderful times that the summer season brings.

However, even if we cannot escape the days will get shorter and the temperatures cooler, know that it is possible to give your vegetable garden a second life by planting vegetables that ripen quickly.  Just in time to harvest delicious fresh vegetables before the onset of cold weather.

Growing vegetables in the fall is as easy as in the spring since the soil is still warm and, in addition, you get the following three advantages:

• Heat waves are avoided, which negatively affect the growth and taste of vegetables.
• More frequent rain means watering needs are reduced.
• There are fewer insects.

There is one important thing to consider :  the chosen location must have a minimum of four to six hours of sunshine.

Because at the end of the summer, your soil might be a little depleted of nutrients after feeding the first generation of vegetables, it is recommended to add a little compost to your soil.

The following is a list of fast-growing herbs and vegetables:

• Dill
• Beetroot for their young leaves
• Broccoli
• Carrot
• Chervil
• Certain types of zucchini
• Cauliflower
• Coriander
• Spinach
• Romaine lettuce
• Turnip
• Onion
• Radish
• Arugula

In closing, there is also still time to start a container vegetable garden and enjoy fresh vegetables until October and, sometimes even, until November.

Jackie Beaudoin, Leclerc Insurance and Financial Services
Sources:  Du jardin dans ma vie  Le Soleil