Some gardeners are starting to think about some cool season planning, if not planting. One plant that you need to consider is the red giant mustard.

If you haven't tried red giant mustard, you have missed one of the hottest new plants for the fall and winter. They are strikingly beautiful in the landscape, and partner well with pansies like the ultima apricot shades and delta fire, and are incredible interplanted with spring-blooming pink tulips.

When planted in the fall, it may look green with hints of burgundy, but just wait. As temperatures get below 60 degrees, the burgundy red begins to develop, making the landscape pop. If these beautiful burgundy red leaves weren't enough to make you go out and buy one, consider also that the Red Giant mustard is tasty when cooked just like other mustard greens.

Fall is the ideal time to get them planted while it is cool but not freezing. This gives them time to acclimate to your garden so they can put on their show through spring in many parts of the country. Once acclimated to cool weather, they are rock-solid tough. If you live where it is really frigid you can grow them as a fall crop and a spring crop.

Select a site in full sun with fertile, organic-rich soil. If the planting area has tight, heavy clay, amend with compost or humus to loosen. While preparing the soil, incorporate 2 pounds of a slow-release, 12-6-6-fertilizer with minor nutrients per 100 square feet of garden. Set out nursery-grown transplants 12- to 18-inches apart and add a layer of mulch.

Keep the red giant mustard growing vigorously with supplemental water during dry, cold periods and light applications of fertilizer every four to six weeks. Florida research has shown an even better response to water-soluble fertilizer once temperatures have gotten colder.

If abnormally cold weather is forecast, completely cover with a layer of pine straw and remove once temperatures have moderated.

The red giant mustard offers a lot of choices for companion plants. For a recent television segment, we used the red giant mustard with the delta fire pansy and Tahiti daffodil. Delta fire pansies have flowers that are brilliant yellow with shades of burgundy to rust.

Yellow sonnet or liberty snapdragons, as well as the new dwarf montego series, offer great opportunities for combination plantings. Montegos come in several colors and are actually smaller than the red giant mustard. If you want a taller selection, try the ribbons or the sonnets.

Ornamental grasses and fall chrysanthemums also make great companion plants. Try the red giant with purple fountain grass, dwarf pampas or the dwarf fountain grass variety hameln. Yellow jacket chrysanthemums would be exceptional partner.

Shop your local garden center when selections are greatest and temperatures are moderate. The winter landscape doesn't have to be dreary. The red giant mustard and pansies like ultima apricot shades or delta fire are just a few of the great choices waiting for you.

Horticulturist Norman Winter is the author of "Paradise Found: Growing Tropicals in Your Own Backyard," "Mississippi Gardener's Guide" and the highly acclaimed "Tough-as-Nails Flowers For the South." Readers may write to him at normanwext.msstate.edu.