Just Completed my Garden.....What Should I Plant NOW!

The Title says it all.  I finally have my raised beds complete, and gathered all my ingredients for Mel's Mix.  They are of course, vermiculite and peat moss, as well as the following composts.

1) Steer Manure
2) Chicken Manure (fully Composted)
3) Worm Castings
4) Mushroom Compost
5) Goat Manure
6) Leaf and Yard Trimmings (fully Composted)

Yay! 1 extra......My father-in-law raises goats and I didn't even think of goat manure as one of my composts, until he mentioned it.

So, the question is:  What can I plant NOW?  I am in Delaware (Zone 7b), and I don't want to wait until spring to start my garden.  I am impatient and want to see the fruits (and vegetables) of my labor.

Just to let everyone know, this is the first year that I have tried SFG, or any gardening for that matter, so I am a complete novice.  I'll have picks of my completed setup shortly.

I think you can plant just about anything at this point, Stealth...except maybe spinach, lettuce and peas...particularly if you buy some plants at the nursery. Tomatoes are a good start.

What do you like to eat?
CC

CapeCoddess wrote:I think you can plant just about anything at this point, Stealth...except maybe spinach, lettuce and peas...particularly if you buy some plants at the nursery.  Tomatoes are a good start.

What do you like to eat?
CC

As CC said, I would go with nursery bought plants for things like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs. I bought some this morning and got them at 50% off the regular price. Look for strong healthy plants. You don't want to bring home diseased plants. You can probably sow a few things directly from seed such as beans. Also start thinking about things that you can grow later in the summer for harvesting in the Fall and early Winter such as Kale.

You might look at Gardenate.com... They'll have a list for your region. And/or Johnny's seeds...

OK, garden is build.  Mel's mix is in, grid setup.  I bought some seeds today, as well as some seedlings (cucumber and and zucchini).  I also bought some fall harvest seeds like lettuce {Four Seasons}, Green beans {Tendergreen and Kentucky Wonder}, Cabbage {Earliana}, and Brussels Sprouts {Long Island Improved}

There some things that I am going to attempt to plant, but it is probable too late in the season.  Worse case scenario, I have more for my compost pile.  It is some Crookneck squash, and Hale's Jumbo Cantaloupe.

It seems like a waste to not use this fabulous raised garden box after all the work and expense that I put into it this year. I'll definitely be ready when next spring comes, though.

Pictures? Hmm?

stealthmayhem wrote:OK, garden is build.  Mel's mix is in, grid setup.  I bought some seeds today, as well as some seedlings (cucumber and and zucchini).  I also bought some fall harvest seeds like lettuce {Four Seasons}, Green beans {Tendergreen and Kentucky Wonder}, Cabbage {Earliana}, and Brussels Sprouts {Long Island Improved}

There some things that I am going to attempt to plant, but it is probable too late in the season.  Worse case scenario, I have more for my compost pile.  It is some Crookneck squash, and Hale's Jumbo Cantaloupe.

It seems like a waste to not use this fabulous raised garden box after all the work and expense that I put into it this year. I'll definitely be ready when next spring comes, though.

Hi Stealth!
I think you have a fair chance at getting a few  crookneck squash! I'm dubious about the cantaloupe but I still think you should grow it. My failures due to late planting have still helped me get a 'feel' for a plant, and that has often contributed to successes the next year. Sometimes I might still fail on the second time, but that usually means I've eliminated at least two possibilities for what I'm doing wrong. 

Do you have a trellis set up for your cantaloupe and cucumbers (unless they are bush type) to climb?
And are you doing anything special to/for your zucchini and yellow squash plantings - or just letting them take up a full 9 squares?

BeetlesPerSqFt wrote:

stealthmayhem wrote:OK, garden is build.  Mel's mix is in, grid setup.  I bought some seeds today, as well as some seedlings (cucumber and and zucchini).  I also bought some fall harvest seeds like lettuce {Four Seasons}, Green beans {Tendergreen and Kentucky Wonder}, Cabbage {Earliana}, and Brussels Sprouts {Long Island Improved}

There some things that I am going to attempt to plant, but it is probable too late in the season.  Worse case scenario, I have more for my compost pile.  It is some Crookneck squash, and Hale's Jumbo Cantaloupe.

It seems like a waste to not use this fabulous raised garden box after all the work and expense that I put into it this year. I'll definitely be ready when next spring comes, though.

Hi Stealth!
I think you have a fair chance at getting a few  crookneck squash! I'm dubious about the cantaloupe but I still think you should grow it. My failures due to late planting have still helped me get a 'feel' for a plant, and that has often contributed to successes the next year. Sometimes I might still fail on the second time, but that usually means I've eliminated at least two possibilities for what I'm doing wrong. 

Do you have a trellis set up for your cantaloupe and cucumbers (unless they are bush type) to climb?
And are you doing anything special to/for your zucchini and yellow squash plantings - or just letting them take up a full 9 squares?

My setup is 4x12  i figured I would use 8 squares for two squash by placing them on the corners of my bed and letting them grow out over my pathway. 



 

As far as the cantaloupe and cucumbers, I am building a trellis for them to grow up.  My garden is about 3 ft from my back fence, so I am going to attach the trellis to the fence, and the back board of my bed.

Welcome, Stealth!  So exciting to be gardening for the first time!  I would look for bargain maters on sale, and maybe herbs.  Your crooknecks will probably give you some fruit.  Like everyone else said, it is a learning curve!  Keep detailed notes, they will help you.  And plan for next year over the winter when you have some time to study and pour over the catalogs!

stealthmayhem wrote:

BeetlesPerSqFt wrote:

stealthmayhem wrote:OK, garden is build.  Mel's mix is in, grid setup.  I bought some seeds today, as well as some seedlings (cucumber and and zucchini).  I also bought some fall harvest seeds like lettuce {Four Seasons}, Green beans {Tendergreen and Kentucky Wonder}, Cabbage {Earliana}, and Brussels Sprouts {Long Island Improved}

There some things that I am going to attempt to plant, but it is probable too late in the season.  Worse case scenario, I have more for my compost pile.  It is some Crookneck squash, and Hale's Jumbo Cantaloupe.

It seems like a waste to not use this fabulous raised garden box after all the work and expense that I put into it this year. I'll definitely be ready when next spring comes, though.

Hi Stealth!
I think you have a fair chance at getting a few  crookneck squash! I'm dubious about the cantaloupe but I still think you should grow it. My failures due to late planting have still helped me get a 'feel' for a plant, and that has often contributed to successes the next year. Sometimes I might still fail on the second time, but that usually means I've eliminated at least two possibilities for what I'm doing wrong. 

Do you have a trellis set up for your cantaloupe and cucumbers (unless they are bush type) to climb?
And are you doing anything special to/for your zucchini and yellow squash plantings - or just letting them take up a full 9 squares?

My setup is 4x12  i figured I would use 8 squares for two squash by placing them on the corners of my bed and letting them grow out over my pathway. 



 

As far as the cantaloupe and cucumbers, I am building a trellis for them to grow up.  My garden is about 3 ft from my back fence, so I am going to attach the trellis to the fence, and the back board of my bed.

Sounds good!

Stealth, I second the recommendation that you go ahead and plant your beds, even if it's a little late in the season. Learning about how the plants grow, what they need, and how to take care of any pest that may come along is important. Failures are valuable learning experiences, as I can attest to!! And keep a journal/diary.

countrynaturals wrote:Pictures? Hmm?

THis is what it looked like when the build was complete.  The trellis is going to go along the back of my bed to the top of the fence at an angle.   My Mel's Mix looks like crushed Oreos...

 Nice job, Stealth.

Stick a tomato in that puppy!

CC

48 squares to play with!

sanderson wrote:48 squares to play with!  

Yep......oh, the possibilities.

My first summer, I had 28 squares and planted something different in each one just to start the learning process.

This is what I have so far:  The Squash on the ends are corrkneck.  The First set of cucumbers are seedling that I bought from Lowes, The melons are actually cantaloupe, the second set of cucumbers are seeds (I dont remember the variety).  Two Pole Beans , and two bush beans (Tendergreen and Kentucky Wonder).

As For other plants, I have carrots (Scarlet Nantes, Chantenay, and Danvers Half-long in containers), as well as two types of peas (leftover seeds that I found in the shed when I moved in {they actually sprouted, even though it is waaaay too late or early to plant them}).  I also have a small plot that I have been growing with some green bell peppers and tomatoes (both regular and grape varieties).   whew, I have been busy this year........

stealthmayhem wrote:

sanderson wrote:48 squares to play with!  

Yep......oh, the possibilities.

Let the fun begin!

Salad greens!  Lots of varieties, easy to grow, quick; also radishes if you like them, but maybe a little later as they don't like the heat.  I am in a cooler zone, so check your dates with your zone.

Pics of my new little friends.........  Cucumbers and Cantaloupes, I planted them Monday Night (4 days ago).

Great start!

sanderson wrote:My first summer, I had 28 squares and planted something different in each one just to start the learning process.  

I did the same thing a few years back. I won't be doing that again. This year I filled each box with one variety of veggie. It's easier to keep track of so I can rotate next years planting. Although, I do have one 4x8 with some "this and that" in it.

New Pics of my little friends....From left to right (Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Cucumber, Pole Beans {Kentucky Wonder}, Pole Beans {Kentucky Wonder}, Bush Beans {Tendergreen}, Bush Beans {Tendergreen}





From Left to Right :Crookneck Squash in the Corners, Cucumber (I felt bad for the little guy, he was dying in front of a Home Depot, Cucumber (almost dead, same plant that I bought at Home Depot), and cantaloupe.



What you see at the top of the picture is my trellis netting, and below that is weeds.....ahem.... native vegetation.  I have discovered that when it rains, the runoff from my box basically feeds the weeds at the fence line.  They grow 5 times quicker there, than anywhere else.  I guess it proves that MM really works.

On another note, I found an odd white pepper in my other plot.  I did not plant this plot, my father-in-law did, so I have no idea what kind of pepper it is.  I am leaning towards a White Holland Bell Pepper, but I have no idea.  Any clues?

Stealth, Are you thinking of any cool weather plants, also?