Too late to start?

mmccauley-brown 6/9/2011, 10:41 am

It has been a crazy busy spring with a 5 month old and 3.5 year old in our house but I really want to start a garden. I am a newbie and would love to make a couple of SFG's to give my family and I veggies.
Are there any veggies that are harder to grow that I should stay away from?

Ceashels 6/9/2011, 12:08 pm

I'm also new to SFG but I don't think it is ever too late to start a garden. Planting things will be a consideration that other and more experienced members of this group can answer.

I am working on my backyard beds and hope to have them done by the end of summer so I can plant for the cool weather of fall.

Hoggar 6/9/2011, 12:55 pm

I think if you can afford to purchase & plant seedlings its never too late.
Find out your local growing season and buy accordingly read the labels
of the plants you are interested in and figure out how long you have to
let them mature for instance "Beefsteak tomatoes take 80 days" to mature
for harvest so you just need to get plants that will be ready when you need
to wrap things up for winter.

Correct me if I'm wrong you vetran SFGers. Too late to start? 601593

outsideasy 6/9/2011, 1:03 pm

Start with a couple of big pots and fill with MM to get started right now with any veg and then plan your SFG box's for near future growth. Like Nike - Just Do It

H_TX 6/9/2011, 1:17 pm

I would go ahead and get started. There is a learning curve and there are things that you don't even know about yet (or at least there was for me). Get some boxes built and get some vegetables in them. Worst case scenario is that the garden does not do well, you learn a few things and you are ready to plant as soon as it warms up next year because your boxes are already built and filled with MM.

Denese 6/9/2011, 1:25 pm

Go for it! I'm in southeast Michigan, just over the border from Windsor, and I just built my boxes and started my SFG. I've put in veggies I know will be ready before the cold sets in. I purchased my plants at the local farmer's market, since I really didn't have time to start my tomatoes, etc. indoors. Also, I plan to put in some Fall veggies as well, which I'll be able to start myself. I don't know how much farther north you are, but I'd say you've still got plenty time to get some things in, if not for summer, then for fall.

CindiLou 6/9/2011, 4:12 pm

You can easily figure maturity dates. Just remember that the date starts from the time of germination. So if you buy a larger plant that means it will not take the full time to maturity. So your actually just having someone else do the first spell. I like the big starts of tomatoes and peppers when I can find the kind I want.

**gwennifer** 6/9/2011, 7:02 pm

Welcome! I'm in the same boat. I have a 3 year old and an almost 7 month old that are keeping me busy! The crrazy wet spring we are having is also making it hard to get outside and get things done. I really want a garden too! I bought the stuff to make the raised beds and if by some miracle I can get them done by this weekend or so, I will definitely try planting some already started plants like the others are saying. But if all else fails, my main goal will be to have them ready for fall planting.

**Furbalsmom** 6/10/2011, 3:59 pm

mmccauley-brown wrote:It has been a crazy busy spring with a 5 month old and 3.5 year old in our house but I really want to start a garden. I am a newbie and would love to make a couple of SFG's to give my family and I veggies.
Are there any veggies that are harder to grow that I should stay away from?

MMccauley-Brown, we are really glad to have you join us.
Have you had a chance to read the ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING book? It does give you easy to understand information about setting up your Square Foot Gardening boxes and filling them with Mel's Mix. We are happy to help you out so don't be afraid to ask questions.
Since I am on the other side of the continent from you and much farther south, I cannot recommend or advise against any particular crops.
First off decide what your family enjoys eating right now, then check the days to maturity on that veggie. Shorter days to maturity means you are more likly to be able to harvest before it gets too cool. Things like cucumbers and bush or pole beans usually take about 60 to 70 days.
Tomato transplants can be anywhere from 60 to 100 days, so the variety is very important.

Enjoy your garden, and Welcome!

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