The Deal: Renee’s Garden seeds at 30% off

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Think of it as an inexpensive ticket to your vegetable garden’s second act. Renee’s Garden, the seed company based in Felton, Calif., is offering 30% off 2009 vegetable, herb and flower seeds. The sale continues through Sept. 8. Go to www.reneesgarden.com and enter “sale09” as the coupon code at checkout.

Southern California gardeners should be thinking about planting fall gardens right about now. Late summer and early autumn months are ideal for sowing short-season edibles that tolerate cooler nights and shorter days.

“If you plant your fall garden now, you can be harvesting at Thanksgiving, and even all the way through the year,” says Sarah Renfro, Renee’s Garden general manager. Greens including gourmet Mesclun mixes and Italian misticanza can be planted right now. Beets, broccoli raab, carrots, chard, fennel, kale, leeks, peas and scallions also will do well in fall. If you’re a flower gardener, Renfro recommends starting sweet peas and larkspur. Just read the seed packet instructions carefully.

“Renee Shepherd writes them personally, based on our seed trials in multiple locations, including Southern California,” Renfro says of the company’s founder. For more help, check the Renee’s Garden website, which has how-to articles and tips from the staff horticulturist.

-- Debra Prinzing

Seed packet artwork: Renee’s Garden