Vegetable gardeners are now enjoying the fruits of their springtime labor. The wise gardeners know they can extend their garden yield well into fall by planting second crops in midsummer.

Unfortunately this is a neglected source of high-quality vegetables. The spring planting fever only lasts for a small percentage of gardeners, but those that spend a few hours in the garden in the hottest time of the year are well rewarded.

The fall garden is easier to plant than the spring garden. There are root and leaf crops from which to choose and most can be harvested within two months. Germination rate is generally better than in the spring because the soil is warmer and there is no excess moisture problem.

When planting in an area where another crop has recently been removed, it will not be necessary to work the soil deeply. The addition of compost or manure and a 5-10-10 fertilizer can be mixed in lightly.

The timing of the fall planting is dependent on how long it takes the plant to mature and its hardiness.

Some crops must be planted so that they mature before the first fall frost and others may be planted later as they can withstand light to moderate frost.

To successfully grow crops in the fall requires knowledge of the first frost date. This is especially important for tender crops. This is not easily determined because Mother Nature is fickle and some years surprise us with a very early frost and other years a very late frost. Because of the topography of our area, people living in valleys often have earlier frosts than people living on hills. Typically our first frost is in late September to early October.

The first crops to be planted must be the crops that cannot withstand any frost. A frost-tender crop with a relatively long maturity is the cucumber. They require 51 to 56 days to produce fruit. Maturity is based on variety. Ideally cucumbers should be seeded in early August.

Bush beans are also a frost-tender crop. Green beans mature in 45 to 55 days. The old reliable Kentucky Wonder produces fruit in 45 days and could be planted as late as mid-August most years. Yellow beans require 50 to 56 days for fruit production.

If you still have friends who will take your excess supply of zucchini, you may wish to get a second crop of this frost-tender vegetable. Maturity time for most varieties is 47 days. If you are tired of zucchini and your neighbors hide when you come to the door, you may want to try yellow summer squash. These are ready for eating, or giving away, in 52 to 55 days.

Beets and carrots are two root crops that are very hardy. Beets, depending on variety, require 53 to 63 days to deliver edible roots. Most carrots require 62 to 65 days to reach maturity, but at least one variety can be harvested after 50 days.

Several crops of radishes can be planted because the roots are edible after only 20 to 24 days.

Two commonly grown leaf crops are lettuce and spinach. Leaf lettuce matures in 41 days, butterhead in 60 days and romaine in 75 days. Spinach requires 40 to 53 days to mature depending on variety.

Another frost-hardy vegetable is snap peas. If the warm soil does not hinder germination it will require 65 days to produce a crop.

A popular salad greens mixture that is common in Europe is mesclun. It is the salad often served in upscale restaurants and is reported to be the leading seller in California salad bars. The seed is supplied in a mild and a tangy mixture. The tangy mixture is recommended for our area and contains arugula, chicory, cress, endive, mustard and radicchio. It requires only 20 days from seeding to maturity.

Pete Hale is a Master Gardener with the Penn State Master Gardener program.