It could be any day now but according to the weather forecast, we're good to go for another week anyway. I'm borderline zone 7 and the average 1st frost in this area is around Oct 15. Most lettuce can survive temps well below freezing. This is my 1st year growing brocolli as a fall crop but it should be at least as hardy as lettuce. I've had lettuce survive temps in the mid 20's. It was under cover. Of course peppers and tomatoes are far more sensitive but tomatoes can survive a light frost if they're covered at night. You can use blankets, sheets or a tarp for this purpose.

I have a chart that lists cole crops in order of hardiness. It reads like this;

From least hardy;

Cauliflower
Onions
Lettuce
Carrots
Broccoli
Cabbage
Beets
Radishes
Collards
Brussel sprouts
Leeks
Spinach
Kale

G'Day!
Add Swiss Chard to that list. In winter, put an invereted bushel (not air or water tight) or rake leaves over swiss chard and you can harvest all through the winter. It's a biennial, and will re-sprout in the spring.

Most root crops (carrots, turnips, salsify, etc.) can also be left in the ground and harvested as-needed all through the winter too.

Of course, if you've woodchucks, you needn't bother planting. Mr. Woodchuck and family have at elast left the basil and gourds alone - not much else!

Happy gardening,
-vlad

Wow! Thanks for the knowledge.