Ever consider growing a garden, but weren’t really sure how to get started?

Well, the University of California Cooperative Extension wants to help.

Gardeners who grow vegetables throughout the year are always looking ahead to the next season and their next garden. The cooler months of autumn are the perfect time to plant the leafy and root vegetables that go so well in autumn salads and winter soups.

To help gardeners start planning their gardens for September and October, the Stanislaus County UC Master Gardeners — part of the UCCE — will be giving talks at county library branches throughout August on how to grow a “salad bar garden” in your back yard.

Topics covered will include what vegetables are best to grow during the fall and winter months, when and how to start from seed, caring for and transplanting the growing plants, when they can be harvested, along with how to identify and manage some common pests and diseases.

“For the base, plant lettuce, Swiss chard and spinach,” the UCCE said a press release. “For crunch, add root vegetables like carrots, beets, and radishes. And don't forget to add broccoli and cauliflower, too.”

Free seeds will be given to participants.

The class schedule is as follows: Thursday at 1 p.m. in Patterson branch library, 46 N. Salado Ave.; Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Riverbank branch, 3442 Santa Fe St.; Monday at 1 p.m. at the Ceres branch, 2250 Magnolia St.; Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Oakdale branch, 151 S. 1st St.; Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Denair branch, 4801 Kersey Road; Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Modesto main branch, 1500 I St.; Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Waterford branch, 324 E St.; and Aug. 28 at the Turlock library, 550 N. Minaret.