Although spinach is traditionally one of the earliest crops to be planted, did you know that a fall seeded planting will, more often than not, winter over, providing you with an even earlier taste of Popeye's favorite food. Here is what you do: After sowing your spring crop, be sure to set aside some extra seed for use later.

In September, select an area for planting that is not only protected from winter winds and receives good snow cover, but also warms up early in the spring. A raised bed [1] is ideal.

Plant the seeds in the usual manner during the first week of September. They will grow to about 3 to 4 inches in height [2] before the weather turns from cool to cold. At this time provide a covering of protective mulch such as leaves or straw. Keep your fingers crossed for one good snowstorm before it turns severely cold, and then hope that this snow remains until spring.

In spring, soon after the snow has melted and the tulips start to emerge, carefully remove the mulch from the spinach seedlings. This process should be done in several stages [3] so as not to shock the tender plants. The warmth of the sun will trigger the plants to grow, and within just a few weeks, you will be enjoying a garden-fresh spinach salad.

And don't forget to plant the traditional spring-sown spinach for a second crop of this nutritious vegetable.