There are 'hot season' veggies and 'cool season' veggies. The cucurbits - zucchini, cukes and any other squashes - are hot season veggies and need summer heat to produce. Same with corn, tomatoes and peppers (and other Solanaceae) and things like beans or okra. It is too late now to plant from seed and expect a harvest before the temps cool.....unless you plant a very short season variety.

Cool season veggies can be planted from seed in early spring for an early to midsummer harvest or in late summer for a fall harvest. Some actually benefit from a frost to condense the sugars and make them sweeter. Cool season veggies include any greens, radishes, carrots (and most other root crops), peas and any of the cabbage family plants.....Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chard, etc.

Check with your local Master Gardener program. They should have reliable advice for you. https://emgv.ces.ncsu.edu/

Johnny's Seeds website has planting schedules in their growers library that function as an excel sheet based on your first frost date. I agree with Igteacher that you need to find a planting schedule for your zone. Also, now is a good time to find out what you might like to grow next year. For example, taste tomatoes at a farmers market or local farm stand to see what variety you like best. You will also find there are tons of varieties that you can grow but won't find at the supermarket such as French filet green beans. It's not only the heat of your summers that make a difference, it's how many growing days you have between last and first frosts.

Yeah, I tried the seed starting when I first started and it's great for things like beans, squash, zuk, etc.. But realistically, I usually fried anything I had in the GH.

Also, how many tomato plants do you want of the same variety? I want 3 plants.....one of each chosen variety. Even when I had room for more, I only had 5-6 plants and wanted variety.

I pretty much go for quality starts from quality organic nurseries and have a pretty successful garden each year.

But give it a shot! Nancy

Wow thanks guys! Such great feedback! Sounds like I'll try to plant some cauliflower and zucchini now. Love the idea of tasting tomatoes and figuring what will work when the weather is right! Oh yeah, good point on starting with quality, I was just going to load up on what was at the store. Speaking of quality tomatoes, there is one my family grows and says the seeds have been passed down...can't remember the name but they are very dark, almost black; and delicious! Maybe i'll see if I can try those out :) Thanks!!

There's Black kris and my favorite Purple Cherokee (very sweet, need to eat quickly when ripe)

Sorry. Black krim. You should be able to get some cauliflower going now. Not sure if you'll have time for zucchini. They grow fast and like heat, but shut down when it gets cold. Like lgteacher said, check your extention office. They usually have a planting schedule. Nancy