Farmers in the Valley can see two things that remind them that harvest season is waning: their breath and the descending snow line on Pioneer Peak.

That's bad news for people who like zucchini, peas and beans.

But the tubers and root crops will get sweeter as the low temps push the sugar down into the flesh of crops like carrots and parsnips.

Fall also means shoppers who want to store vegetables for the winter can buy in bulk.

Mark Rempel wrote in early Tuesday and said it was 32 degrees at his house near the Butte. He will be at Northway Mall today and the South Anchorage market Saturday with carrots and parsnips as well as kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, five kinds of winter squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, radishes, Snow Apple turnips and many other vegetables.

SPUDS AND PIGS

Alex Davis has plenty of potatoes if you want to hold some over in the root cellar or your garage.

On Monday, he dug up 1,300 pounds of French fingerlings and 600 pounds of red potatoes. He may dig up peanut potatoes too if he can get them out of the ground before the weather turns. All three varieties will be available in 20-pound bags.

Carrots and beets will be sold in 25- and 50-pound bags.

He will be at Northway Mall today and the South Anchorage market Saturday with other crops that include sugar snap peas, fava beans, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kohlrabi and vine- ripened tomatoes.

Davis said he will start to butcher the next set of pigs in early November, so if you need a whole, or side, of pork, call 1-907-746-0038.

Starting Oct. 15, Davis plans on moving inside Northway Mall. He said last year he sold carrots and potatoes through March.

MORE VEGGIES

Sarah and River Bean of Arctic Organics are harvesting the last of their zucchini this week. They plan to have plenty of other crops, though, including leeks, golden beets, storage cabbage, chives and potatoes. Carrots will be sold in 5- and 10-pound bags.

Also look for beets with greens, four kinds of radishes, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli heads and sideshoots, Snow Apple turnips, kohlrabi, scallions and onions.

Greens include collards, mustard, red giant mustard, four kinds of kale, mizuna, watercress, rainbow chard, spinach, arugula, greens mix, tat soi, dandelions, radicchio and sorrel.

They're at 15th Avenue and Cordova Street in Anchorage on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sell from their farm on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., 1305 North Smith Road, just south of the Mt. View RV Park in Palmer. Call 1-907-746-1087.

MORE HERBS

Dale Walberg of Mile 5.2 Greenhouse in Eagle River has all kinds of basil either in pots or cut fresh. He also has these potted plants: rosemary, oregano, thyme, mint, lemon verbena, stevia, marjoram, sage and lavender.

The greenhouse is downtown and open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Walberg also has herbs available at the South Anchorage Farmer's Market on Saturdays.