Normally green manures are tilled in approximately 6-8 weeks prior to planting so they have some time to decompose. Is it possible to plant sooner than that, say a 2 weeks wait instead? Yes if certain adjustments are made. The balance that needs to be maintained between greens and browns, carbons and nitrogens, for the ideal results is a bit complicated so most prefer to just let time take care of it. Let time resolve the nutrient binding process. But when you don't have that time you can compensate for that imbalance by adding additional nitrogen sources. The ideal ratio is basically 3 parts carbons to 1 part nitrogen. Note "basically" as there are many other variables involved too. So by adding additional nitrogen - high N fertilizer in some form - you can offset that binding issue, give the plants the nitrogen they need, and give the soil the time it needs to balance itself out. Then you need to take into consideration the nutrient needs of plants you will be planting in that early bed. They need to be nitrogen lovers like leafy greens and cole crops, not low-tolerance for nitrogen plants like legumes, peppers, or root crops. Wait on planting them until the vetch decomposition is well along and the soil balance has begun to stabilize. Normally not a problem as most of those plants have very different planting times anyway. Following me? In the future either till in much earlier or don't till, just mow and let it decompose on the top of the soil. Dave

As with most vegetables, you can harvest them at any time so long as you think they're large enough to eat at all. The younger they are, the more crisp, tender, and delicate they will be. This includes eggplant, potatoes, peppers, beans, okra, leafy vegetables, broccoli, asparagus, articokes, peas, zucchini, peas, etc. Tomatoes and tomatillos are an exception but they are a fruit. So like most fruit, you want to ripen them on the plant. he fruits of the eggplant are edible from the time they are one-third grown until ripe. You can harvest the fruits when they are 6 to 8 inches long and glossy. Fruit should be large, shiny, and a uniformly deep purple color. When the side of the fruit is pressed slightly with thumbnail and an indentation remains, the fruit is ripe. Long, slender, Japanese eggplant may be ready to harvest from finger or hotdog size. If fruit is a dull color and has brown seeds, it is too ripe and should be discarded. Use a knife or pruning shears rather than breaking or twisting the stems. Leave the large, usually green, calyx attached to the fruit. Here is a link that might be useful: Harvesting eggplant

I LIVE IN NW FLORIDA AND AM GROWING DATIL`S VERY SUCCESSFULLY HERE 8 MILES SOUTH OF GENEVA AL. I HAVE 5 PLANTS 3 YRS OLD THAT PRODUCED 400 PEPPERS THIS SUMMER AND ARE STILL BLOOMING . I EXPECT AT LEAST ANOTHER HUNDRED BEFORE THE COLD WEATHER SHUTS THEM DOWN WHEN I BRING THEM INDOORS FOR THE COLD WINTER WEEKS...

I have pepper plants that are almost 6 ft tall with no Peppers yet. But turn right back around, some 2 ft tall that are loaded down with Pods. Depends on what type of peppers they are on how long it will take. Ant where from 60 - 110 days from the time you plant the peppers in the ground. Not from the time they sprout. I am in Raleigh NC. with 100 pepper plants. And am getting peppers from about half of my plants now.