Photo credit: Baltimore Sun/Susan Reimer

Just when it feels too hot to garden, there is a reason to stay indoors: it is time to  plan your fall vegetable garden.

Renee Shepherd at Renee's Garden is writing about the "second season," and suggesting herbs and vegetables to plant, including spinach, chard, scallions and leeks.

"Start seeds in containers or in a garden area with dappled sun or light shade -- wherever seeds can germinate comfortably out of the hot sun but still get plenty of light after seedlings are well-established. Plant in well-prepared moist soil and in the evening so they will have the advantage of cooler night temperatures to settle in and minimize shock. If daytime temperatures are still in the high 80's, shelter your newly transplanted seedlings with row covers or a shade cloths for a few days so they can adjust heat and sun."

Gene Sumi, the gardening guru at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, is offering his advice for fall vegetable gardening on the Homestead blog.

"Planning ahead means if you want to plant varieties that may not be available in seedling form at the garden center in the fall, you may have to plant your own seedlings and this is the time to find or order your seeds."