I just bought a house with a spacious, sunny backyard, and I'm excited to set up my first square foot garden raised beds. However, I'm worried that starting in July means I'm already halfway into the growing season and I'm unsure about what I can plant and actually harvest in time! Any advice for crops that will thrive in this timeframe?
3 Answers
One of the easiest things I've had great success with is pink eye purple hull cowpeas – you can find the seeds at any big box store, and they grow really well. Definitely a good option if you're looking for something simple to start with!
It really depends on where you are in Virginia, but around this time, you can still plant cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, and winter squash from seed. If you're looking for something faster, consider cherry tomatoes. Towards the end of July, you can start planting your fall veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, lettuce, peas, radishes, cabbage, and carrots. You've got plenty of time to grow some delicious produce! Good luck!
Yes, this covers it! I also recommend checking out the app Gardenate; it's really helpful for figuring out what and when to plant!
You've got a long growing season ahead, considering the weather in Virginia stays warm well into October! Here's a tip: if you're looking to plan for next year, check out Southern Exposure Seeds for a great variety of what's compatible with the climate around here. Most crops do really well in the Arlington area.
Totally agree! You can also throw in some beans for even more variety. There's still lots of time to enjoy gardening this season!