What would you plant?

Shoda 6/16/2010, 9:01 pm

I have a 4' by 8' bed. One 4x4 section is saved for melons (growing horizontal so I can cover them. On the other half, I am going to trellis winter squash & pumpkin in an L shape. That leaves me a 3x3 area. 3 of these squares are going to be hard to reach because there is a trellis with the pumpkins. Any idea what would like some shade and doesn't need to be fussed with a lot until harvest?

The closest squares, I think I am going to plant bush beans. But my arms are not 3' long and I don't want to be leaning over that far all season.

Thanks.

auntij 6/16/2010, 10:26 pm

I don't know if it is to late but my brussel sprouts are pretty much maintenance free. I staggered mine because spacing called for 2', but they are doing awesome and aren't truly ready til the first or second frost. I bought my starts, so they might be hard to find now.

ander217 6/17/2010, 8:36 am

Swiss chard? Bush shelly beans? Shade-loving flowers?

Shoda 6/17/2010, 11:45 pm

Hmmm... flowers might work. I was reading more about crops and it also looks like onions might work. Aren't those pretty much plant and forget for several months?

milaneyjane 6/18/2010, 12:14 am

What about beets?

chocolatepop 6/18/2010, 12:20 am

horizontal melons? must see pic. or am i a dork and you just mean sprawling on the ground?

onions?

Chopper 6/18/2010, 1:27 am

Flowers would be excellent as your soul needs food too. And nasturtiums are edible, bug deterrents and pretty - and they grow easily from seed. They should be part of whatever you choose.

Shoda 6/18/2010, 1:57 am

Yes, by horizontal I mean sprawling on the ground. I couldn't figure out how to plant them vertically and still protect them from the raccoons, squirrels, and other melon eating animals.

ander217 6/18/2010, 9:41 am

I'm confused - why would growing your melons on the ground instead of on a trellis keep marauding critters out of them? I don't think I'm picturing your set-up correctly.

Are you thinking about growing your onions from seed for green onions or for mature onions? I'm not an onion expert, but I always thought onions grown for bulbs had to be planted early in spring because it was the length of the day that triggered the bulb to start swelling. I think Japanese onions can be sown later, but it's getting pretty close to the last date for sowing those, too. Of course, I'm in a different growing zone so yours may be totally different.

If you think a late crop of onions would work, I might try sowing some, too. I have quite a few squares left to fill in after harvesting spring crops.

MsMinchin 6/18/2010, 9:23 pm

How about broccoli? or lettuce?

Aussie Girl 6/18/2010, 9:33 pm

How about some herbs?

Mine don't mind shade and they are very maintenance free. I have basil, garlic chives, chives & parsley.

miinva 6/18/2010, 10:29 pm

Herbs could also serve the dual purpose of companion planting, or you could plant nasturtiums, which are pretty and supposedly help to keep squash bugs away.

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