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Vegetable Gardening

What to plant now (early July) in zone 5?

9 years ago

I have a big traditional garden, but this past spring I bought 2 70 gallon food-grade stocktanks to put in the back yard for easy pickin's from the back door.
I've pulled up the lettuces and spinach and left the broccoli (cut off the flowers), and the carrots, kale, collards and the beans are still growing.

Since I haven't done this before (planted anything mid-summer), was just wondering what all would be reasonable to plant now (zone 5), and would I need to put some shade cloth over it?
Thanks!

Featured Answer

tripleione

9 years ago

From my own experience, I've found that planting another round of beans will give you a nice late summer/early fall crop. Carrots are also an easy one to keep sowing all season. Depending on how long your growing season is, you may want to try starting some cool season veggies so that they mature before the first frost. Broccoli, cauliflower, swiss chard and possibly even peas and spinach are good fall garden candidates.

On the other hand, I've had a very hard time with growing veggies in preparation for the fall, at least in my area. If the seeds actually germinate in the heat of summer, it's not long before pests find the little sprout and decimate them before they can get established. If you can start your plants indoors and grow them big enough to withstand heat and bug attacks, you should be able to have a nice fall garden. Starting plants outdoors will require constant supervision. Protection from pests and maintaining adequate moisture are major issues that have to be addressed.

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Comments (9)

2ajsmama
9 years ago
I was thinking of peas and carrots now too, might be too late for broccoli (are you getting good side shoots still?), okra only takes about 60 days and we're getting the heat it likes now, maybe the basil I never got started? End of the month do more lettuce, kale, and the Asian greens I didn't do in the spring (market starts mid-June)?

Here is a link that might be useful: Fall Harvest planting calculator (and other tools)
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jwhittin_gw MA/NH border 6a
9 years ago
That's a great calculator, thanks! Just put some reminders on my calendar to plant some kale, carrots, lettuce & spinach. The growing season continues!
2ajsmama
9 years ago
Yeah, I was going to try broccoli thinking to start it early July but according to that calculator I should have started it a month ago to transplant in July. Who knows, maybe I'll give it a try next weekend. A little late for peas too but I have some bush type I may try, have to dig out the package and see what DTM is. The vining types I started last summer didn't do well but worth trying again.

Wish I'd left more room for okra - I forgot and started filling the end of the bush bean row with determinate tomatoes. Probably just as well since it was the south end and I don't want the okra to shade the beans. Though still tempted to plant in between the beans (north of tomatoes) since those were seeded a month ago so should be done sometime in Aug.
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
9 years ago
Cucumbers big time. We planted them last July and were eating them by the end of August. Got a full crop.
jimmy56_gw (zone 6 PA)
9 years ago
I'm in zone 6-PA and just starting my fall cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower tomorrow.
seysonn
9 years ago
It all depends on the temperature pattern you have. Zone number does not mean much.

In my zone 7B/8A I can grow cool crops practically all summer long through fall. Rght now my lettuce , chards, chives, leeks , .. are going well. Just planted cukes. It was too cold for'em up until now.
catherinet
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone!
Peter1142
9 years ago
I'm about to start planting my Brussels Sprouts in Zone 6 (direct sow).

I think beans and summer squash would be good choices if you don't have 'em going.

Otherwise in a couple weeks it might be better for planting, carrots and broccoli and peas.

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