We have Common Chive plants, Chard and Romaine seed. We need some seeds for the winter, such as cauliflower & lacinto kale, and herb seeds (especially parsley!) Our chive plants are very healthy; they were started in a bunch and I planted each of them out... now they're taking over. It's either give 'em away or mow 'em! My Cos (romaine) just set seed. It think it's the Braveheart type. Bought in a 6-pack and I had to add it to my seed store, it was so delicious and not bitter at all. No other lettuce was blooming so it's a pure strain. I'm letting the seed heads dry overnight before harvesting, they can be ready tomorrow. I also have Seed Savers' Bright Lights Chard (fair warning, they're a little old, but stored faithfully in the fridge). We live in Castro Valley/Hayward Hills in California's Bay Area. Thanks!

Ohhh, this is something that I want to know too. If you are storing them, do they need to be kept in the fridge (cold) or just kept sealed in a bag with other seeds>? Where to keep them?

From my experience and I'm south and east of you in very SW KS. Okra would self sow and probably be ok. I always sow my okra in the garden here around Memorial day weekend the same time I transplant my chile and jalapeno peppers. They both like warm soil temps. If planted in cold soil temps neither will grow much and can be stunted and may not ever produce like they should. When I lived in NE NM several of the chile farmers sowed seeds rather than transplant. And usually had a great late crop. The same thing I have seen here from volunteers I've left. And for several years I had a small ornamental type they could also be ate that self seeded every year. It became a nuisance and I finally removed all of them. But unless you just want to experiment a little I would transplant pepper plants. Gives you an earlier crop. On okra I think you should be fine. Soybeans I've never grown so can't comment on them. Again remember I probably have a longer growing season here and warm up faster also. My last frost date is April 16th. Jay

Hi Cyndi, You already have the two best things picked out to use in your pots! At this time of the year, for ornamental things, pansies and flowering kale, a/k/a pretty cabbages, will give you the best bang for the buck! Both of those can take really cold temperatures, and, depending on what our weather does this year, could last and look good well into December. IâÂÂm assuming theyâÂÂd be getting some sun if you had basil and peppers there, but that might have changed with the seasons! TheyâÂÂd do ok for a while without sun, but should do better and last longer with sun. Other possibilities would be finding some blooming mums or fall asters and sticking them in the pots, but theyâÂÂll both freeze with our first âÂÂrealâ freeze, so IâÂÂm thinkinâ itâÂÂs probably not worth the investment in those this late this year since you donâÂÂt have anywhere to plant them in the ground for them to come back next year. With sun you could also try starting some lettuce or spinach in a couple pots. Not sure if youâÂÂd get anything edible or not. Would just depend on the weather. Anybody else have thoughts about trying lettuce or spinach in pots at this time of the year? If you decide to try that, you might go with some red lettuce for the ornamental value if it grows well! For some nice bright color and âÂÂdecoration,â pansies and kale are the âÂÂgo toâ items for fall! Skybird