Sorry for the scattered thoughts. The boxes are 48x48. So the total amount of space is 24 feet by 4 feet. I do not mind growing things I do not eat as I tend to give them away. I was thinking maybe 2 types of tomatoes, various herbs, token onion/potato, squash, peppers of various degrees, cucumbers.

I think I'm just looking for suggestions and recommendations more than anything. Im mostly new to vegetable gardening

Ok bed size is still not clear. 48x48 if inches are very small beds - only 16 sq. feet. If feet then it is big - 2300 sq. feet.

24 feet long by 4 feet wide is a fair size - 96 sq, feet. Yet you said you had 6 boxes or beds. So for planting purposes each bed has to be treated individually. In a 4' wide bed that is 24 feet long you could plant 1 tomato plant every 3' apart down the long side of the bed toward the back of the bed - or 7 plants. So I can't see how only 4 plants could have taken over.

As to what to plant you fist need to determine exactly how many sq. feet of growing space you have. Then just look up each vegetable you are interested in and see how many sq. feet it requires. Then draw out a plan of what does where.

As a very general guideline tomato plants need 3 sq. feet, pepper plants no less than 1 sq. feet and 2 is better. Squash - bush types 3-4 sq. feet minimum, vining types need anything from 6 to10 sq. feet. Same for melons.

You don't indicate where you are located so I can't say if it is too late to plant onions or peas or potatoes or lettuces and other leafy greens.

Dave

I have 6 boxes that are all each 4 feet by 4 feet. They are side by side so it's essentially a 24 foot by 4 foot box broken up into 6 separate planter boxes that are all 12 inches high. I attached picture. I am located in Whittier, California.

mrbug have you heard of tomaomania? They are starting their sales in So CA in the next couple of weeks. I've had pretty good luck with them, but they don't come up here to No CA until late April. I like to plant April 15th or even before.

They also have a tasting in So CA which was fabulous the one time we were able to go! Nancy

You're good for any of the summer vegetables (tomato, pepper, squash, beans, melons soon). Too late for what most areas consider spring veggies (peas, broccoli, cabbage), the heat will take them out, especially this early warmth we've been having.

Pretty much anything on their availability list should be fine, except the peas, and I'd skip corn and melons unless you want to take up about half your boxes each just for those.

I agree with Dave that you probably want to look for small bush type plants unless it's something you really love and you don't mind using up a whole box for it. You might also consider putting in some trellising along the back to grow things up (pole beans, Asian beans, cucumbers, some squash) so you can mash more things into your growing space, depending on where your light comes from.

Ahhh, now I see what you are talking about. Can I ask why the bed dividers? Why can't they be removed and it just be a 24' long bed? I'd sure pull at least a couple of them and make it into 2 beds for greater planting flexibility. Trying to plant stuff in only a 4 foot square box creates problems. It is much more effective use of space to plant long rows than in tight squares.

I'd also fill it up more, closer to the top for better planting depth as there is quite a bit of wasted growing space with it only 1/2 filled.

Agree with Humsi that trellis along the wall would work well fro growing things up and it would also create an air space between the plants and the wall. That wall will give off a lot of heat during the summer.

So depending on your sun exposure you could plant just about anything you wish but taller plants will need some sort of support.

T---T---T---T---P--P--P--P--Be--Be--Be on trellis--etc. against the wall.

Herbs-----Flowers----Cabbage---etc.

Dave

No particular reason for the squared off boxes so I will remove a couple of them. I guess I thought separated was better! I do have the tomato cages for the tomatoes but I do like the trellis idea.

Thanks for all the help!