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Re: what fall crops to start

> At 01:03 AM 9/16/97 -0700, Merlene A. Teresky wrote:
> >I have always grown just a spring/summer crop but have an interest in
> >trying a few vegetables in the fall.  What and when do you suggest
> >starting veggies in fall for zone 9, northern california.  Some frost
> >but  nothing extreem, had a little snow one day in Jan. 1987.
> >
> >Do I start with seeds germinated indoors or direct seed?
> >
In our version of USDA Zone 9 where we get a few light to medium frosts
each winter but no hard freezes,  we usually separate our vegetable
crops into cool-season and warm-season varieties but there are some that
are difficult to categorize.  Cool-season crops include the edible roots
(Radishes, Carrots, Turnips and Rutabagas, Beets, Parsnips, Salisfy),
Cabbage Types (Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Endive,
Kale, Kohlrabi), Leaf Types (Swiss Chard, Spinach, Lettuce, Oriental
Cabbage, Celery), Bulbs (Onions, Garlic, Leeks), one legume (Peas) and
occasionally perennials like asparagus and globe artichokes.  

	The edible roots are always sown directly beginning late September and
the shorter-season varieties like carrots, radishes, and beets can be
sown throughout the winter but germination is pretty difficult from
about late November through late January - but it's possible using black
plastic to cover the seed until they germinate.  Sowing after the end of
February runs the risk of the plants bolting to seed before the roots
develop

	The cabbage and leaf  types can also be sown directly through October
but after that it's best to use transplants.  It's possible to get a
second season of most of the greens in the spring by transplanting in
January or February but planting later usually results in bitter flavor
and bolting.

	Green onions can be sown from seed or planted from sets all winter
long.  Bulbing onions are sown from seed in September/October or from
plants in October/November - sets don't seem to bulb for me.  We also
are limited to the Vidalia/Grano-Granex varieties because of our
short-day growing season.  Garlic and Shallots are set out in October. 
Leeks are sown from seed in October.

	Warm season varieties like corn, beans, and Cucurbita are sown from
seed beginning late February and many can be planted throughout the
summer but most of us forget about gardening when the daytime
temperatures routinely exceed 105 deg.  Tomatoes and potatoes are set
out near the end of the cool season with most of the growth during the
warm season.  Eggplant and peppers are warm season and can easily
survive our hot summers.

There are many factors other than the USDA temperature zones that affect
vegetable adaptability.  Low rainfall with the attendant high
evapotranspiration rates will affect the soil acidity/alkalinity as will
the quality of irrigation water.  The amount of light varies with NS
latitude.  Atmospheric density associated with higher elevation may also
be a factor but studies are not well-documented.  The Sunset zones are
better for the west but they seem to be more into landscaping.  The best
sources for plant adaptability continue to be the local county
cooperative extension offices.

Olin Miller <millero@worldnet.att.net>
USDA Zone 9 (In Sunny Phoeniz AZ)
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