I have a long narrow bed (12' x 1') where my beans were. The beans are done and something was eating the plants so I pulled them all. But the spring season seems late for most everything but squash-type things, which seem to want hills. I can't put hills in this bed because it's level with and next to a walkway.
Ideas? It does have a trellis all along it -- can I plant squash without making hills, and then trellis the vines? It doesn't get full sun, but it does get a lot of afternoon (hot) sun. Or is now the time to make hubby happy and plant some flower seeds? Any ideas?
What next? Empty beds in zone 8-9
I'd go peppers, cukes, and/or squash - especially if you already have a trellis arrangement.
Or, you could prep the beds for Fall greens (spinach, lettuce, etc) ny planting a nitro rich ground cover such as Summer rye, vetch, etc. Grow it thru Summer and then chop it down and till it in come late July or so.
By the time temps cool down and you're ready to plant the greens, you have a ready made bed to plant in. No compost or additional fertilizers needed.
LiseP - I don't grow squash, but I do grow lots of Charentais melons, and I never make hills for them. I've put up a trellis for them this year to keep them up off the groung. They are just starting to set blossoms.
Oh good, looks like I have lots of choices.
HoneybeeNC, I'll have to read up on Charentais melons. I've got cantaloupe growing (don't remember the variety) and also white scallop squash and acorn squash, and am using trellises for those but have them growing in hills. Great to know I can expand this to a non-hill area. Might be an interesting experiment, actually!
jbell, thanks for your input on the summer rye. I may not do that in the bed I mentioned, but I'm game to try that in another spot.
I do have peppers growing in containers right now -- could put in one or two in that bed, as another comparison test.
And that's a great idea on doing fall greens there in that bed later on. Last year I didn't do anything in that spot, just let it sit -- hope to do better this year.
Lise
Hey LiseP,
I just learned this week over on the self-contained veggie growers thread that there's a DGer who has been alternating southern peas and potatoes in the same soil, and without any problems. She says the beans fix nitrigen to the soil, and sucks up any bacteria the potatoes might leave behind. The potatoes, in turn, love the nitrogen left by the beans and just take off.
Mind you, she's growing in a self-watering bucket, and says she gets more beans and potatoes outta the bucket than she and her DH can eat.
And each rotation is giving her higher yields. Just a thought in regards to your empty bed...
Linda
I also grow squash in flat beds. I always think i don't have enough space for hills- or maybe I think hills are a waste of space. At this house for the last few years I've been tucking them in here and there in flower beds, and have had plenty to eat. This year I've made a whole new veggie section and the squash will be in a long narrow bed similar to the one you describe, mixed in with nasturtiums. I think that will look nice, and the nastys will keep nasty things off the plants.
Pam
I don't hill my squash, either, it's planted in haybales, or just rows. I spcifically but "vining" varieties for the bales (that I trellis), and some bush types.for the ground.
Now, the next heat loving crop I'm putting in is a love/hate type, but I do have to mention Okra.....
Lise,
I'm wondering about planting more beans. My first batch had really bad germination, so I haven't been able to get many green beans. We should be able to plant beans again, shouldn't we?
David
Dreaves, my county guide for spring lists May 5 as the end date for beans, so I guess the answer is "maybe" for a second planting? You could always try it. Aside from that, I think the next window for beans is around August (don't have my fall chart handy).
Gymgirl, I can't do southern peas (allergy) but I like the idea of rotating, just on general principle. My first season at potatoes was a flop all the way around -- whether in hills, bags or planter. I pretty much got out exactly what I put in and no more. I'd love to figure them out.
Speaking of which, when do I make sweet potato slips? I might give those a try this year. Maybe I could rotate sweet potatoes with green beans?
Catmad, thanks for your input. Okay, I feel pretty stupid, I didn't even know there was such a thing as non-vining squash (aka bush). I'm going to have to look at a zucchini seed packet now -- I kept wondering when I could start vining that particular plant upwards -- seems never to have anything long enough. Maybe now I know why? LOL.
Pfg, I always like the idea of nasturtiums but can never seem to get any to take off. I've planted them twice and pretty much, nada. If you've had good results in past years, please share your tips! In fact, this spot would be great for them from an aesthetic standpoint because it's at the side of of our patio and I'd love to have something flowering up the lattice as an added bonus.
LiseP - I'm trying one called "Tasty Bites" from Johnny's this year.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8402-tasty-bites-f1.aspx
Plus I'm growing Charentais and Vedrentais from last year's saved seeds. Hubby and I voted on the sweetest ones, and I took a chance and saved the seeds.
There are also some "volunteers" here and there around the garden. Usually I pull up volunteers, but two season ago I let some mature in the sweet potato bed and they were positively the sweetest melons I have ever eaten! Wish I had saved seeds from them :(
If you do grow the French type Charentais, be forewarned - they don't slip from the vine - you have to guess as to when they are ripe! This is why I decided to try the "Tasty Bites" because it's advertised to slip.
So far, the Tasy Bites are doing well. They are starting to climb the netting I have provided for them and have male blossoms.
LiseP - the only thing I know about nasturtiums:
We used to grow them when I was a child back in England where the summers are cool and wet.
They like lots of water.
They do not like to be transplanted.
I've tried growing them here, but they don't seem to like clay soil (what does?!!!!)
Ooh, that sounds like a good one. I just looked at my seed packet and I am growing "Hybrid Athena." I have 3 of what I *think* are cantaloupes -- they are the size of peas right now, it's hard to be sure. Maybe my plant just has a few pimples, lol. And, reading the packet, these are supposed to be on the large side -- 5-6 lbs -- so it's clear I have a long way to go.
Thanks for the nasturtium tips, HoneybeeNC. That's helpful.
LiseP - I tried Athena last year, but they took so long to mature that the squirrels, sow bugs, and slugs got to them first!
Charentais and Vedrentais weigh (at most) 2lbs. Hubby and I usually share one each morning as they ripen.
This is a photo of Athena dated July 5th 2010
Yeah, I'm afraid a 5-pound cantaloupe is not well-suited for this impatient gardener.
Mmmm, your little melons sound like a tasty breakfast. I'll have to give those a try.
I sometimes start nasturtiums indoors- they germinate pretty quickly, and I plant them pretty early too. Outside, I try to get them sown before the frost date. After that they don't do as well. I'm not sure what the difference is in your climate. Also I have loose acid east coast soil, which also may make a difference.
Pam