• Lettuce is often harvested in the fall.Bed with a green salad. image by Supertrooper from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fall in Virginia begins in mid September. Depending on which hardiness zone you are in, zone 6 or 7, fall usually lasts until the beginning or middle of November in this region. There are several good vegetables suitable for planting and growing during this time that do well in Virginia. Cool-season favorites such as cabbage and broccoli are some of the many vegetables found in home vegetable gardens and local nurseries during this time.
  
  

Lettuce

• Lettuce is a hardy, cool-season vegetable not only grown in the fall but in the spring as well. Lettuce tolerates light frost, so it is possible to start growing it in the fall and continue throughout winter, provided they are protected by coverings or brought inside during episodes of temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Several varieties of lettuce are available including leaf, romaine, crisphead, stem and butterhead. Texture and color vary between types. The most common type planted in home gardens is the leaf lettuce known for its crisp leaves. Lettuce thrives in well-draining soil with frequent but light watering. It also works well as a container plant.
  
  

Broccoli

• Broccoli makes a good fall vegetable.Broccoli close-up image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
  
  Broccoli is a favorite cool-season vegetable grown as an annual in Virginia during September through November. It requires full sun exposure for optimal growth in well-draining, highly organic soil. Broccoli needs consistent moisture to thrive and should be watered frequently. Broccoli reaches heights between 2 and 3 feet tall, and spreads between 2 and 3 feet wide. Like lettuce, broccoli can often be continued throughout the winter months in Virginia. Popular varieties include premium crop, goliath, baccus, liberty and marathon.
  
  

Kale

• Kale is a hardy cool-season vegetable often grown during the fall months in Virginia. Like lettuce, kale is also cold-hardy and can actually be harvested throughout winter, even with snowfall. Kale thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. This easy-to-care-for vegetable is a favorite among beginner and experienced gardeners alike. Kale comes in many colors, including red, green and purple, depending on the variety chosen. Common types include red Russian, winterbor, dwarf green curled and vates blue curled.
  
  

Cabbage

• A companion to lettuce and kale, cabbage is a cool-season vegetable grown throughout the autumn months in Virginia landscapes and home vegetable gardens. Full sun with well-draining soil are essential for cabbage growth. Cabbage varies in shade depending on the type ranging from green, red and purple. Cabbage is known for its coarse texture and ability to withstand frost. Early, midseason and late varieties are available, allowing for a continuous harvest throughout the season. Jersey Wakefield, Savoy Ace and Huron are all recommended varieties for the home vegetable gardener.