We finished off the last few handfuls of garden peas for supper last Thursday. Despite a slightly delayed planting and a bit too warm June we had a bumper crop. Even so I may continue an experiment I started last year.

Last year I planted a few peas about August 20 in hopes of getting a fall crop. It almost worked but I will plant several weeks earlier this year.

I haven't looked, as I write, but the seed pack will tell you how many days it takes from planting to harvest. That's helpful but, unfortunately, that only works in the mind of the person who wrote the seed pack. My peas, which I normally plant around April 1, will only be a few days behind those you plant two weeks to a month earlier.

The same is true for any plant. A late spring planting will shorten the growing period while an early spring or late summer planting will extend that time.

Meanwhile, back in the garden. If you are still thinking about adding a tomato, a pepper, a cantaloupe or sweet corn, act quickly. My guess is that it is too late for watermelon, lima beans or eggplants. They take too long.

Spinach did well this spring but the June temperatures shortened the season. This is another prime candidate for a fall planting. Lettuce would follow the same schedule, but I passed this spring with a late start.

The string beans look nice and I will make at least one more planting. That planting window remains open until at least August 10.

The first zucchini has made its way to the table several days ago and sliced with onions it was good. Since I really like squash, and if I have good sense and am not buried in zucchini, I will plant another one in several weeks for an early fall crop.

I have the same plan for cucumbers. The problem with the vine crops in the fall is fungus and general unhappiness as the night temperature regularly drops below 60 degrees.

Since my daughter is moving much nearer and she and her husband like sauerkraut, there will be extra fall cabbage in the garden. The ideal time to plant is from now until the end of July. Pushing into early August often works. Use the cabbage schedule for brussel sprouts.

With broccoli and cauliflower I would move the season back about two weeks. I have had success with a shorter season broccoli and cauliflower planted as late as August 20. That date doesn't work every season.

Grandmother insisted that turnips be planted August 20 unless it landed on a Sunday. Those years you did not plant turnips. That last sentence is a lie but that is a good date for the fall greens.

The spring vegetable planting season is about over but there is still lots of choices if you like to plant things you can eat.

My wife, an English major in a previous life, always proof reads my articles. When she finished this one she announced that she is headed to the garden to pick over the peas one last time. I guess you now know who tends the garden and who plants the flowers at our house.