Need some ideas on what to plant next

[Heimdhal]

Ive only got a 20 square foot raised bed as I live in a townhouse. Ill have a lot of free real estate being cleared up once the winter/spring type plants are out here in a few weeks (raddishes, lettuce, cabbage, peas).

I need some ideas on what to plant for the hot florida summer. I've got some tomatoes in already, with a couple more plants waiting in the wings, but Ill still have around 6-8 square for more plants. I definitly plan on putting some peppers in, so that will take up a bit.

so, ideas...lets hear em! ;D

[dlm1968]

Good luck. Only things I have heard of are tomatoes, peppers, and okra. You could try cantalope or watermelon but I don't know if you have the room for it. Being in Florida also, I never plant anything through the summer months. It is just too buggy and too wet. I usually plant a cover crop to till under getting ready for fall planting.

Let me know if you find anything else that will make it through the summer months here, as I would be interested.

[Heimdhal]

Good luck. Only things I have heard of are tomatoes, peppers, and okra. You could try cantalope or watermelon but I don't know if you have the room for it. Being in Florida also, I never plant anything through the summer months. It is just too buggy and too wet. I usually plant a cover crop to till under getting ready for fall planting.

Let me know if you find anything else that will make it through the summer months here, as I would be interested.


I was thinking if I did something like cantalope or the small watermellon varieties (maybe even summe squash) i could plant it throughout the bed and let it grow along hte base of my tomatoe and peppers since they will be taller and the vining crops will be low to the ground. Kind of like companion planting.

Not sure if itll work though. I guess theres only one way to find out!

[dlm1968]

I grew sugar baby watermelon and the vines were not that big and they were very good.

You are correct though. There is only one way to find out if it will work. It will be interesting to see if they can make it through the dead of summer.

[gunDriller]

plants that produce a lot of food per square feet.

for example, Tree Chard/ Walking Stick Cabbage (sort of like a 6 foot tall chard), or brussel sprouts (i've had those grow 4 feet).

corn is pretty good on that metric too.

also, plants that can serve as a source of seeds for future years. wheat, for example.

i think it's good to learn how to grow crops that provide energy-rich foods (carbohydrates). Potatoes, corn, rice, wheat.

[AlterEgo]

Ive only got a 20 square foot raised bed as I live in a townhouse. Ill have a lot of free real estate being cleared up once the winter/spring type plants are out here in a few weeks (raddishes, lettuce, cabbage, peas).

I need some ideas on what to plant for the hot florida summer. I've got some tomatoes in already, with a couple more plants waiting in the wings, but Ill still have around 6-8 square for more plants. I definitly plan on putting some peppers in, so that will take up a bit.

so, ideas...lets hear em! ;D


Here is a link for you that is real good. From U of F. Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021

[StackerKen]

We Grew Okra last year...a 10'x10' bed full.
It was too much of it. Man those plant produce a lot!
We had to pick it everyday. If you let the fruit get to big it gets tuff.
So some of the big ones we fed to the goat and the horse.
We pickled quite a bit of it too. Yummy

I don't think we are gonna grow okra This year.

[greenbear]

I don't think we are gonna grow okra This year.

Picture a little man rolling on the floor laughing right here: XXXXX. :D



for example, Tree Chard/ Walking Stick Cabbage (sort of like a 6 foot tall chard), or brussel sprouts (i've had those grow 4 feet).


I grew Brussel sprouts for the first time last year, very prolific.

It was satisfying snapping the sprouts off every few days. So much better than store bought, they didn't seem as bitter.

Lightly blanched they freeze very well.

[JJ.G0ldD0t]

My first inclination for hot summer vege crop is yellow crookneck squash or zuchinni. They take up a lot of room tho.

[greenbear]

But with 3 or 4 zucchini plants you'll have squash coming out of your ears, stuffing it in your neighbor's mailboxes, begging people to take it off your hands.

[Heimdhal]

Have you thought about growing UP? You can trellis your melons. Last year I planted Amish Melons. they were about 9 lb each hanging on the vine and they did great. The melons were excellent too! I dehydrated most of them. Also, you can trellis runner beans.

On the Okra - slice it up and put it in batter, then freeze them individually on a cookie sheet for a couple hours. Take them off and put them in a plastic bag and back in the freezer. Then you can have Okra all winter long. When you are ready to eat, put them in the fry pan with Coconut oil and enjoy!

There is a video on You Tube about some Garden Girl who grows in the city in her little yard, she does so much on trellis system


Thanks for the ideas! Ive seen the trellis for melons and thought it was a really good idea. My only problem is that my garden is right out infront of my townhouse and the HOA already doesnt like me very much for it (and many other 'infractions') so going to crazy with it is difficult. That and my back row is already taken up by tomoato and pea plants :(

I may be putting a second bed in behind the first though in summer and if I do, I can likley get away with terllises on that one since it will be a little more hidden from view.

[Heimdhal]

Just got back from the store. I put in two red beauty bell pepper plants. One sweet banana pepper plant and I got some Okra seeds that I will sow in once the raddishes and cabbage are out in a couple weeks.

Might put some green peppers and hot peppers for the wife once I get some more room cleared up.

[Korbin Dallas]

I too, like growing Okra, but I grow the Burgundy variety. The plants look ornamental, and the pods stay tender up to 6 inches long, so if you miss a day or two harvesting, your still good.

[Heimdhal]

I too, like growing Okra, but I grow the Burgundy variety. The plants look ornamental, and the pods stay tender up to 6 inches long, so if you miss a day or two harvesting, your still good.


I think thats the type I got. I remember reading on the packet it saying the pod can go to 6 inches without becoming fiberous and tough.

[crazychicken]

I too, like growing Okra, but I grow the Burgundy variety. The plants look ornamental, and the pods stay tender up to 6 inches long, so if you miss a day or two harvesting, your still good.


I think thats the type I got. I remember reading on the packet it saying the pod can go to 6 inches without becoming fiberous and tough.


The Burgundy variety is first rate in our book. Good choice.

CC

[Grog]

We did Hill Country variety of okra last year. Not slimy at all. Fruit grows up rather than hangs. Yummy fried okra! :)

[Heimdhal]

I looked at the package and it says "North and South" Hybrid as the name. Should be planting them here this weekend. Will see how it goes.