Try growing these vegetables and plants in your garden this fall

Now is the time when fall veggies take center stage in Southern California, as nurseries bust out the broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces and chard, but gardeners who want to break free from more standard garden fare have an assortment of options.

Yes, things such as green broccoli and Butterhead lettuce are basically rock stars of the fall season, but specialty nurseries and seed companies also have an assortment of plants you can think of as indie darlings — they may not be as well known, but bring something different to the table, whether it’s an unusual pop of color or a different flavor profile.

 A twist on the traditional
For gardeners who want to wade into something different yet still familiar, there are twists on the traditional fall vegetables they already enjoy, said Kelsey Swayze, manager at Cal Poly Pomona’s nursery and greenhouse.

Speckled lettuce: Lettuces come in a variety of hues, shapes and flavor profiles, and speckled lettuce is one example. It offers a silky, rich buttery lettuce taste but a unique look, according to Swayze. “It’s beautiful in the garden because it has a red speckle to it,” she said.

Wasabi arugula: Arugula is a popular green for winter gardening, but this specific variety packs “a nice little kick that you wouldn’t get from your regular arugula,” with a flavor profile very similar to traditional Japanese wasabi, Swayze said.

Broccoli – English Lavender and Romanesco: Broccoli is known for being green but some varieties put out heads in more striking colors. The variety English Lavender puts out purple florets while Romanesco (technically, a relative of broccoli) puts out Chartreuse fractal-shaped ones. Swayze said these colorful varieties may be a good way for gardeners to introduce their families to the vegetable if the standard green doesn’t appeal to them.

The wild world of brassicas
The Genus brassica comprises a huge assortment of fall and winter vegetables. In addition to arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, there are lots of brassicas that gardeners may be unfamiliar with, according to Jon Whitinger, General Manager for Texas-based Victory Seed Company. Fall vegetables are the seed company’s second most popular item behind tomatoes.

Kohlrabi: This fall vegetable, which essentially means “cabbage turnip” in German, grows both an above-ground bulb and edible leaves. The leaves can be cut off throughout the season and used fresh in salads until the bulb reaches the right size for eating itself, Whitinger said.

“Once it reaches the appropriate size, probably 3 to 4 inches — you don’t want it too big — then you’ll just cut off the whole plant,” Whitinger said, adding that it can be peeled, and eaten raw with some salt or ranch dressing, or cut up and tossed in a salad like a cucumber.

Mustard: Mustard isn’t just the plant behind the popular yellow condiment of the same name, or the weed that grows wild all over Southern California. Some varieties of cultivated mustard are grown for their leaves and make a great substitute for spinach or typical salad greens, according to Whitinger. He noted that mustard leaves have a tangy, almost spicy taste.

Rutabagas: This turnip-like vegetable produces a big root with a sweet and rich root vegetable flavor. People will often boil and mash it up like a potato, Whitinger said.

Bok Choy: This vegetable, also known as Chinese cabbage, looks like a big white celery stalk. Its tightly packed white stems give way to round leaves and both parts of the plant are edible, according to Whitinger. The stalk can be cooked and the leaves eaten in a salad.

Other vegetables
Snow peas: Peas tend to grow well in the cooler weather of spring and fall and snow peas, also known as sugar snap peas, are a unique option for gardeners. They’re different from other varieties of peas in that they’re eaten whole and it’s better to grow them during bouts of cooler weather because the pods are more tender, Whitinger said.

Leeks: This plant is a relative of onions and garlic. It forms a tightly packed grouping of white leaves at the bottom of a stem and these can be chopped up and used in the same way that an onion can be, including in soups, stews and even as a burger topping, according to Whitinger.

Trees and shrubbery
Fall is typically when people plant bare root fruit trees and shrubs because it’s easier to get them established in the cooler and rainier weather and the same is true of some tropical plants, according to Steve Spangler, owner of Exotica Rare Fruit Nursery in Vista, California.

Spangler recommends planting certain tropical trees during this time, but also advises potential gardeners to be cognizant of their local conditions and to make sure to cover up plants with blankets when it may frost or get too cold for them.

Surinam cherry: This tropical fruit tree hails from South America. It has a strong, fruity, cherry-like flavor, according to Spangler.

Jabuticaba: This fruit of Brazilian origin has a flavor somewhere between a grape and a lychee and is known for its signature clusters of round purple fruit that grow around the trunk and limbs of the tree.

Helpful fall tips
Garden experts recommend that gardeners keep some tips in mind as they start to put their seeds and plants in the ground this fall.

Swayze says gardeners should research to learn what light considerations plants need — whether they need full sun or partial shade.

She said some additions to gardens that can be helpful are drip irrigation tape and mulch. She said leafy greens and brassicas in particular benefit from drip irrigation. Mulch, she said, is helpful as well in helping to stave off weeds, conserve water and help with soil health.

Whitinger notes that as gardeners try new varieties of seeds and plants, it’s a good idea not to get frustrated if they don’t have success. He says to look at gardening as a five-year plan instead of something you’re doing at the moment. It’s a skill that improves with time. “Looking forward and seeing how you can do better,” he said. “Don’t be discouraged.”