Melons and okra I always start in the garden, usually late this month or early June. Tomatoes I've had sprout up on their own at around the same time and produce fruit in late summer to early autumn. Peppers are the only thing that I wonder if it might be too late for on your list, and even then it might depend on what type. I'd still start the tomatoes inside now just so they have warm nights as well as days. And when ai said melons, I mean cantaloupe types, I don't know about watermelons. Cheers!

Basils and cilantro are annuals. You would do better with cilantro if you purchase a pack of seed and sow a few seeds every week. It goes to seed very quickly and although places sell cilantro it is a waste of time and money to purchase plants. Try the regular garden sage. I think that depending on where you are in the bay area you might be able to grow some of the more colorful ones such as varigated and purple. Thymes come in many different types. Try more than one. Even though seed packages give times to sow they are not cut in stone as many in the winter sowing group have found. Some like parsley should not be sown in the fall because they will send up seed stalks next year and are more fiberous.

1. You might plant cottonwood trees on the south and east to shade your house. They grow very quickly and the leaves shimmer and rub together with a wispy sound, turning yellow in the fall. Be prepared to remove them in about 20 years, but that will give your hardwoods time to grow and mature. You "go green" and save money, too, with less utilities. 2. You're in squash country now. You know all of those things that grow on vines? Butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers are all favorites. Also zucchini squash. 3. Remember those stories of the pilgrims? You're in the same kind of zone-pumpkins, corn, squash, potatoes, onions, beans, peas, beets, carrots. 4. Anything that requires a long growing period to reach maturity should be planted as early as possible. Fruit trees are great, but in this zone the blossoms will sometimes freeze and it's rare to be able to "count on" a certain amount/crop each year. 5. Enjoy those crunchy fall days. Rake leaves into piles and jump in them. Tie a dozen cornstalks together at the top and set the bottom ends out like a tripod--lots of fun! Don't forget to use those leaves as nature's mulch to cover plants up for the winter so they don't "bite the dust" in the sub-zero days. Have fun!

Hello, I live in southeast Ohio. I finally stopped raining and I tink it's somewhat dry enough to till. We have a huge garden area we have about six families that tend and use the benefits of this garden. This is the third forth year and the last 2 have been terriable. We have fertilized and ever thing.Last year Our Corn earred when the plant was only about 2 ft. tall. Our potatoes sweet and regular rotted in the ground and our peppers, tomatoes and Okra was the only thing that grew? I'm confused. If someone out there has lots or expeience and can give be idea's since I'm getting a late start PLEASE HELP!