You could plants beets,turnips,broccoli, early peas,or lettuces..and have plenty of time...

How wonderful to finally have some time off and be able to work on a garden. You can plant perennials now and even impatiens and other shade loving annuals if you put in the plants.It's too late for seeds. You'll just have to make sure you keep the ground moist. Your favorite nursery should have hostas and many other shade plants. Have fun. One thing though,don't fertilize them. You don't want a rapid spurt of growth now. Just let them get used to the soil and take hold and fertilize them next year.

Oh thank you! My next big decision is whether or not to dig up some healthy but mis-shapen rhodos to make way for the bed.

I think I'll just work on it slowly, as time allows. I bought some landscaping software but haven't tried it yet.

I hope to try some new things. I am already loaded with hostas, so I'll limit those.

I would go ahead and prep the bed area but would go light on the actual plantings. Get a few plants in to be enjoyed now and as fall aproaches add plants that need to go in during the fall to have all winter to establish a healthy root system.

I think that's what I'll do. Thanks.

I don't know if I'm too late, but the one thing that came to mind was that most nurseries have great discounts and sales this time of year on their perennials. Unusual shade plants such as bugbane and kirengeshoma palmata may still be around ( I saw some bugbane today at Waterloo Exton), and you may be able to pick up a few, usually more pricy plants for less money by the end of summer. Because the shade plants are usually kept in the shade, they tend to look OK come the end of the season. If you have a protected spot, plant early enough, and mulch well you can have success with planting before next Spring. Don't forget to plan for some bulbs- Trillium and Autumn Crocus add some interest. Whatever you decide, have fun! I have a fairly large shade garden and have enjoyed the experience very much.