Fall gardening options

Zucchinis may start showing up in people's mailboxes as Western Montana gardens are getting into the harvest season. Even though this is the pay-off time of year for gardeners, there's an option to stretch out the season for fall crops.

"Like most fresh homegrown vegetable enthusiasts, I have never wanted the garden to end," said Eliot Coleman, market gardener, teacher and author of "Four Season Harvest." "That doesn't mean I longed for an endless summer; I love the pleasures of fall, winter and spring. I just wanted year-round, freshly harvested food on the table."

By planting cold hardy crop...