Here's what to plant in your early fall garden

A few chilly nights doesn't mean that gardening season is over. Plenty is still happening.

Tomatoes, which took a break in production during the hottest days, are producing again. So are other vegetables. The lettuce that we planted just three weeks ago is flourishing. You can extend its season by covering the plants when it gets colder. If you're a balcony gardener, you can plant lettuce in a pot.

In the borders, one unusual bulb is commanding attention - colchicum, also known as meadow saffron. The flowers may be pink or white and resemble a giant crocus. The double form called 'Waterlily' is especially striking. Its flowers emerge in fall without leaves; the leaves appear in spring. Colchicums are native to high meadows in Europe and settle in well here. The bulbs are available at garden centers now and must be planted in fall. Animals don't mess with colchicums because they're poisonous.

Asters are coming on strong. Blooming mainly in shades of purple and white, these tough, easy-to-grow perennials are an important late food source for bees. They can be planted now. Just give them plenty of space.

We can also return to planting pansies. Pot them up now for an extended display on your porch or patio. Pansies are very cold tolerant and sometimes live through the winter. With luck, we may have pansy flowers well into December.

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