is it too late to plant NOW?

for some reason, i am intimidated by the prospect of planting a vegetable garden. perennials? no problem, but veggies make me squirm. yet, I REALLY want a veggie garden. i have finally cleared the space to plant one, and i've read up on some stuff, but i can't seem to figure out if there is anything that will grow at this late stage. have i waited too long? is there anything i can plant now to get a fall crop? (i live in portland, OR.)

help! any suggestions will be MUCH appreciated (and purchased/planted this weekend).

IMO its never too late - you could always extend your growing season - if need be - with covers or a greenhouse.
Are you planting in the ground?
Some veggies do better with a cooler climate - as do some with warmer.
Let me know what you have in mind...
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I'm looking for information on how to do a fall garden as well. When to plant what in my area and whether I should use seeds or starts. I'm in 5b, so I think it's getting to be about that time.

Do you know what zone you're in? Here's an easy way to find out: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/regional-gardening/hardiness-zone-map/

i'm in zone 8(b, i think)
i AM planting in the ground; i have good soil.

8b - that's confusing! that's in texas, too. now i see the problem with the zone map.

check out this chart and see if it helps you. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/grow/grow/planting.html If you have a good nursery around, they should be able to give you a chart or tell you more about the cool weather crops and when to plant them in your area.

what i've learned so far on this forum is that there are cool weather vegetables and hot weather vegetables. hot weather vegetables, such as corn and summer squash and tomatoes thrive on the heat of the summer and don't do well when it's cooler. cool weather vegetables, such as broccoli and lettuce, can be ruined if the weather gets above certain temperatures. so you grow them in the spring OR plant them in late summer. the trick with the late summer planting is to keep the young plants cool with shade until the weather cools off.

I made the mistake of planting both broccoli and lettuce in my summer garden and both bolted - flowered before they produced the parts that we like to harvest. just look at my elegant, inedible romaine! good luck. i'm going to do so more research for my area and see if i can get it right the second time around. :o)

here in Zone 8a, not too late to start a fall crop of cucumbers, yellow summer squash & zucchinni. . . . have some short season hybrid determinant tomatoes (Top Gun, Red Rocket, Bella Rosa) in 4 inch pots that will go into self-watering containers soon. . . . . a second crop of Zephyr squash are starting to bloom (but not for long, the borers are still here). . . . my second crop of Sweet Success cukes are going up a trellis, nothing seems to bother them.. . . I say go for it