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dmaynes14

What to plant??

15 years ago

Okay, I have a couple of beds planted and they are doing okay. The one against the shed is not doing as well as the one against the fence. Not sure why...faces West, too much sun or maybe the blocks are getting too hot. If anyone has suggestions I would appreciate them.

I am trying to plan ahead and figure out what to plant next. I think the cabbage is close to being ready since it's getting ready to get really hot and I've read to harvest it young in the summer. What can I plant in the heat of the summer and then again in the fall?

Should I go ahead and put additional beds in now and let them winter over or wait until next spring and build them?

http://drgnflyd.blogspot.com/2011/06/pictures-of-garden-now.html

Comments (4)

  • 15 years ago

    I took a look at your pictures and it looks like everything is doing great. The beans and cucumbers and beans just need more time. I am not that familiar with your climate but here we are starting cool weather seeds like cabbage to be transplanted into the garden later and to mature in the fall. Also in another month things like carrots and spinach can be direct seeded to mature in the fall. I always start new beds as soon as I can. There is still time to plant them this fall and even if you don't do that it gives the soil food web a longer period of time to develop.

    Have fun and don't stress over it.

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks! I will try to be more patient.

  • 15 years ago

    Everything looks green & full of growth, but if you want you could give a little boost of fertilizer you prefer.

    Plant what you & your family want to eat! If you can provide some shade even cool season might work in the summer. I'm in western WA & have shade from nearby forest trees, so grow cool season vegs all summer reserving my full sun space for the warm vegs.

    -Lettuces are easy to start from seed in containers & transplant where they're is space tucking in behind plants to give some shade in summer especially if you have a hot summer climate. I mulch with dried grass clippings & that helps 'em stay moist & not bitter over summer.
    -Swiss Chard & Kale: harvest the outer leaves, wash well, & use in stir fry with other vegetables. Just use a scissor to cut stems & midrib from leaves to cook stems first, then add chopped leaves at the end. Use smaller amounts until you're sure you like the taste of them in the side dishes you prepare. Strong sauces, herbs, & seasonings (Asian, Mexican, Italian) help mask the taste is it's too strong for your family. Our kids figured out where the kale went & my secret was out! Teen son likes them, but our now married daughter ate it, but didn't like swiss chard, so I often cooked that separately.
    -Herbs from transplants - lemon thyme, Greek oregano, rosemary, & chives are some of our favorites & if you put the chives in afternoon shade keeping the bloom picked you can probably keep it producing all summer. Not a huge harvest this year, but next year you'll have lots. We learned to enjoy fresh herbs once we had them growing here. The taste is quite different!

    By all means start new beds now & if you do it the lasagna way just add layers as you have them even right on top of your turf. No digging required! Be sure to leave 3' for paths between beds.

    Have fun~Corrine

  • 14 years ago

    Check with your local county ag agent or state land grant university.

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