Failed strawberry bed turning into...

bwaynef 6/11/2013, 10:00 am

I have a 4x4 I devoted to strawberries. That didn't really take off, so I'm thinking about using that space for something else this year. Am I too late?

I'd like to put in some okra, more squash, zucchini, and maybe some more peppers/tomatoes. I'm sure it'll fill up fast, but do you think I have time to get a harvest from any of those?

Also, what would YOU do with an extra 4x4 at this time of year?

littlejo 6/11/2013, 10:50 am

Okra, squash and zucchini will grow fast and give you some pickings, but the peppers and toms might do ok if you buy/have transplants. Your strawberries might survive, they will do fine if you plant the other stuff in with them.

If you need me to send you some strawberry plants, pm me your address. I have a lot to give away.
Jo

bnoles 6/11/2013, 10:53 am

Sorry to hear about your strawberries. Before you decide on another crop, you need to find the cause of the failure or it will most likely follow your next crop as well. I suspect your planting medium is your cause and it needs to be corrected before proceeding. I'm sure you could get good advice if you can provide more details on what makes up your medium and possibly get it tested.

As far as what to plant this time of year, I personally would opt for bush green beans and then collard/turnip greens for fall. Just my choice based on my likes.

bwaynef 6/11/2013, 11:27 am

bnoles wrote:Sorry to hear about your strawberries. Before you decide on another crop, you need to find the cause of the failure or it will most likely follow your next crop as well. I suspect your planting medium is your cause and it needs to be corrected before proceeding. I'm sure you could get good advice if you can provide more details on what makes up your medium and possibly get it tested.

As far as what to plant this time of year, I personally would opt for bush green beans and then collard/turnip greens for fall. Just my choice based on my likes.

The strawberries failed due to a variety of reasons not relating to the media they're growing in. The starts I bought didn't ever really grow, they were allowed to dry out, my dog dug some up... Those sorts of things. I've still got 5 or 6 plants in there, but they won't fruit this year and it seems like a waste of a bed.

I have some green beans planted, but I may succession plant a few into the new bed. I haven't ever grown greens, but I *AM* looking forward to having a fall garden this year so I might give that a shot.

bwaynef 6/11/2013, 11:29 am

littlejo wrote:Okra, squash and zucchini will grow fast and give you some pickings, but the peppers and toms might do ok if you buy/have transplants.

I have tomatoes to transplant, cherry types that I couldn't give away. The more I think about it though, the less interested in more tomatoes I am.

Your strawberries might survive, they will do fine if you plant the other stuff in with them.

That's the plan.

If you need me to send you some strawberry plants, pm me your address. I have a lot to give away. Jo

That's tempting. Think I could plant the new strawberry plants ...***AND*** plant the 4x4 w/ veggies while the transplanted strawberry plants send out roots?

littlejo 6/11/2013, 12:29 pm

Or, you could put the strawberries in the isle with a little dirt on them, and plant in the early fall, maybe Sept. They will grow roots in the fall, winter over well, and think they are 2nd yr plants, so will bear good come spring.
Jo

bwaynef 6/11/2013, 2:11 pm

littlejo wrote:Or, you could put the strawberries in the isle with a little dirt on them, and plant in the early fall, maybe Sept. They will grow roots in the fall, winter over well, and think they are 2nd yr plants, so will bear good come spring.
Jo

What do you mean, "in the isle"?

littlejo 6/11/2013, 4:34 pm

I'm sorry, I have lots of beds. That is the space, where you walk, between the beds. Some folks put their beds all over the yard and have no 'isle'. You could put them in a pot or a pot/bag with holes in the sides. I have a bag with holes that you can have also. It hangs up, maybe on a porch? I have way too many berries for that anymore.
Jo

bwaynef 6/12/2013, 10:00 am

Here's my (revised) list of things I wouldn't mind having, or having more of. I understand I can't fit all of those in 16 sqft, and I'm thinking the pumpkins are just a bit of whimsy currently, so they're at the bottom of the list. I don't know how much okra my kids would eat.

Green beans
squash/zukes
Red bell peppers
carrots
radishes
watermelon
eggplant
cucumbers
okra
watermelon
pumpkins

Does anybody have any (add'l) input on whether its too late to get a harvest from any of these ...or maybe I'm forgetting something I ought to plant? (Family of 4, 2 kids (4&6) that are pretty good eaters.)

**walshevak** 6/13/2013, 12:38 am

Try some field peas also known as cowpeas, southern peas. Blackeyed or pinkeyed peas are examples. Pick when just filled out and get some immature pods for snaps. They can also be allowed to grow large and dry out for winter storage. Now is a good time for planting them.

If you can set up a trellis, butterbeans (baby limas) are good eating. I use them as one of my replacement veggies when the garden peas/sugar snaps peter out in the heat.

Kay

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