Well it hangs, and I thought I would keep it outside in a partical shade covered area during the summer and bring it inside during the winter. My intention is to use a liner like sphagnum moss and some kind of moisture retainer in the planting material, to help with the watering, but I do water all my plants everyday. So thats not so much of a problem as deciding what to use as the actual plants. I considered using a Tradescantia zebrina purple wandering jew, but wasn't sure if it could stand the small root area... anybody ever grown any of those in smaller containers?

Zucchini should be direct-seeded, it's the same as summer (yellow) squash. And it should sell in the city since it tkes room to grow (but you're only likely to fit 2-3 plants in a 4x8 bed). Are you sure the edible flowers will sell well? Not too many people I know would buy flowers to put in their salads, and I think they're more adventurous up here than what you're describing. I think okra would do well (if your instructor thinks it would sell). Not sure about rutabagas, but baby turnips (harukei or oasis) would - make sure you do succession planting of those, your greens, and your herbs. Don't forget to snip tops for beet greens. If people would eat arugula, I'd also try some tatsoi and/or maruba santoh in the pallets (vertical, I'm assuming) with the herbs and greens. They can be harvested small for salad or stir fry greens, if you plant some in beds the maruba santoh can also be used like bok choy, and if you're adventurous, you can even use the flowers. You can cook edamame just like lima beans, a milder flavor. Not just for Asian appetizer! I think it will help set you apart. If you're looking for cukes, consider Diva or Little Leaf H-19. they look like pickling cukes (lighter color and more lumpy) but don't tend to go bitter like the slicers do. If you do tomatoes, I'd try determinates unless you can put up tall trellis (or prune a lot). How long is your market? Jaunne Flamme is good, I'm trying Cosmonaut Volkov for an early. definitely do cherry toms - Sungold, Super Sweet 100, search tomato forum and you'll find others. I would try Sudduth strain Brandywine or Prudens Purple for an heirloom beefsteak (and it's not really purple). Maybe Mortgage Lifter? I've never had luck with peppers, esp. hot peppers (though the chiles grow well up here unlike the bells, these Yankees are leery of them). I'm trying Corno di Toro as well as Sweet Bananas this year. Cubanelles are another good sweet pepper if you can convince people they are not hot. Some people think anything that's not a bell is a chile. I grew eggplant for the first time last year and found it really wasn't worth the real estate.

@grapefruit1_ar....Yes, I was also surprised by the closeness of the houses too. Its a newer construction and they are all built that way. Some have detached and some have attached garages, ours is attached...so we have no yard, just the side space and a little next to the driveway. I do have a porch in the front, which is nice and also a small landscaped area in the front. They are trying to build kind of like a community, they have planned for building 1500 single family and townhomes. They will also build a playground, swimming pool, clubhouse, sledding hill, amphitheater, biking/hiking/jogging trails, park-picnic areas, soccer field, future school and future retail stores and small offices. That's why the houses are crammed together with little yard space and I guess they expect people to come together in common areas like a small town feeling, which is what attracted me to the place.

I live in Elk Grove, Ca. I created a "no dig" garden area using layers of alfalfa hay, straw, manure and compost. I opted for this because of the hard clay soil we have so I put those layers on top of the clay. How do I determine the ph? It's in close proximity to the hose so I can water as needed. Drainage is good I guess as I don't see any standing water. Trees 15 feet and under but more important is a smaller width as it will be close to the wall which is a little less than 6 feet high. I hope there are some trees that fit the criteria. I wouldn't mind pruning if needed to maintain size. I've seen a lot of nice images which are inspriring.