Empty space in veggie garden-what to plant??

I have a raised bed 4' x 12' that I grew tomatoes & peppers in last year. This year I've already planted onions and garlic in it, but I have 2 sections about 5 sq.ft. each left to plant something in. I was going to plant bush beans until I found out they don't get along with the onion family. The only other thing I wanted to plant is Sugar Baby Watermelons-actually two of them. Does anyone know if that would be alright? Or should I just take my chances with the tomatoes/peppers again, or try the beans anyway? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks! Peggy

How about eggplant? and a few dwarf marigolds to keep the bugs away?

Do not repeat any of the tomato/pepper/eggplant/potato... family. They are subject to certain diseases and pests that can built up in the soil when these crops are planted every year.

I would try the beans in one of the areas and do 'fast harvest' stuff in the other. Lettuce, radish... while you are getting the water melons going. Once the water melon plants are big enough there will be no more room, but you can get at least one crop of 'fast harvest' stuff out of that space.

Thanks you all. I appreciate the advice!

I was at one of the local nurseries on Friday b/c they have a Happy Hour. They had starts of the Sugar Baby Watermelons. Said that there was enough time here (Dallas, TX) to transplant and grow. And they don't get very big as one usually imagines watermelons to be. Don't remember if I got one b/c one of their peeps was giving a talk about using herbs to make cocktails with. If I didn't get one of the Sugar Babies, I'll be going back to get one today.

those small watermelons are known as icebox watermelons. Some of the larger ones are simply too big for a normal-sized refrigerator.

Water Melons in fact that whole family to my knowledge, require a far richer humus rich soil than you will have in a bed to grow any of the onion family.

I would be looking for fast grow salad crops that maybe pick and come again. it is important you grow something or you will end up with a patch of bare soil that soon becomes filled up with weeds.

Some tender peas and French beans grow to maturity in about 8-10 weeks and will look good growing up a wigwam cane frame. try beetroots, a Lettuce mix, these can be sown a half doz seeds at a time and 4 weeks later another half doz, that way you eat and enjoy nice SMALL tender veg over a longer space of time.
Maybe even plant some Flowering plant seeds that are either Perennials, Biennials as these need like a nursery bed for planting out the following year, much cheaper than buy in plants in pots almost in flower.

Just try not to leave the soil bare as it takes longer to gain the condition back again,
Best Of Luck.
WeeNel.

Hi WeeNel. I didn't know we had the honor of having a member from Scotland. I don't know how long you've been a member because I hang out a lot in the Parking Lot thread called Coffee and..........
We do have some members from England and enjoy their input, like yours.

woodspirit11, WeeNel is one of our sweetest members, generous with her experience and always encouraging.

:o)

OMG, maybe you folks should look out the window and IF you see bright glow, it's my blushing face,
Thank you so very much for such kind compliments BUT, there really are several nice encouraging folks here in lot's of the forums.
It's the only way to learn, by kindness and encouragement, well that's how I was told to treat others, I just hate anyone who comes on site and should really be applying for a prison officers job with extra perks of being rude but hey, that's what make the world go round these days.
Bless you all and have a great season in the garden no matter what size your plot is, it's your heaven and have fun with it.
Kindest Regards.
WeeNel.

It's true WeeNel, there are certainly others too. Lucky us. And your face looks very sweet pink!

OOOOOH I'm going to show my husband this, he will think I'm paying you guy's LOL.
Stay in touch and enjoy your green and precious bit of earth, eventually it will become someone else's enjoyment, were just looking after it for now.

Kindest Regards.
WeeNel.

I agree, how cool is it to post a question and get advice from CA, NC, TX, OR and Scotland!? Wee Nel, my maiden name is Scott. Scotland is on my bucket list- sure hope I get to come someday!
Thanks everyone! The soil is actually the product of lasagne gardening with lots of compost AND I grew annual rye in it over the winter, so it is overly enriched for onions. I also have a Sugar Baby transplant I'm going to try and do some flowers around the edge. Has anyone tried leeks? I don't know if it's too late for those in Zone 6, but that might be a possibility for the "family" I chose for that garden.
Thanks again!!

Do let us know how you got on, would you I.peggy? I like adding results of questions to the store of knowledge leaking out of my brain.

Turtle

13 Turtles-I sure will. . .please remind me if I forget. I did the watermelons this past weekend. Leeks sounded like WAY too much trouble and it was too late anyway. Thanks for your interest!

Hey everyone-so far, so good. The Sugar Babies look very happy! I better cover them tonight, though, or they won't be tomorrow. Patchy frost predicted :( I am so done with this weather :(

I'm not sure we can even talk about weather anymore, let alone climate. It's more, what's it doing this hour?