There's a lot of variability in "midwest." If you are in zone 7, for example, you might still be able to plant beets, kale, broccoli, cabbage. If you are in zone 6 or 5, Laceyvail's suggestions are good, as are regular radishes. When getting started, it is important to just take it easy and not try to take on too much at once; everything is a learning experience about your location. Most seed packages will have "days to maturity" written somewhere on them. That's the average days from planting to harvest. Some plants can take early frost and some can't.

Yes, a better idea of your location would help to give you advice.

Some fall veggies are best grown as transplanted starts...Broccoli, Kale, Cauliflower, etc. You can direct sow lettuce, beets, radishes, spinach, and other greens right now. I just sowed my beets and first row of radishes Saturday. I'll continue sowing more radishes every week until late September. It's probably too late for carrots now. I sow those in late July. My lettuce starts are hardening off right now and I'll plant them out this weekend, I started the lettuce 2 weeks ago indoors.

Days to maturity listed on seed packs will not be accurate for fall growing. The shorter daylight and cooler temps slow down growth so you need to add more days...even weeks in some cases. In SW MI the lettuce and spinach might work from seed. Radishes might, too. It's too late for most other crops. Next year's garlic can go in October. If you are to the south your day length will not decrease as much as mine and your really cold temps may be later. If so you might have time to try some of the suggestions others made.

Thank you so much for the ideas. As for my location, I am in southwest Missouri.

Deb - welcome to the GW forums from another Missourian! Your fall season should last a little longer than mine up here in the KC area. If you can find some broccoli, kale, or cauliflower starts at a nursery its not too late to plant those out. Beware of the little white cabbage butterflies laying eggs on the plants before it gets too cold for them. The little caterpillars that hatch can be controlled by hand picking (PITA), BT spray, or insect barrier netting.

I'm heading down your way this weekend. Going to Pomme de Terre for some fun and fishing.