I'm planning to go all out filling the garden with seeds soon, but.

[Inchworm]

I'm new to the garden, and am trying to figure out how long the things I plant stay growing and producing veggies.

I've read a couple places (main one being a doc I got from co-op) where you plan a summer planting and a fall planting in the same row. I guess it is self-explanitory with squash, but all the others are blowing my mind.

This term "slow/fast to bolt" keeps coming up. From what I can tell that means "goes to seed." Does that mean stops producing fruit? In other words, should I plant a "fast to bolt" in a spot I plan to preplace with spinach in the fall? Just how long into the fall will stuff grow?

I'm probaply confusing myself, but it is my nature. Well, until I understand :)

Any tips/suggestions is greatly appreciated

:hi:

[crispini]

1. The big question is, where are you.

you need to find out what "zone" you are in, and that will give you a good idea about what to plant when. You also learn some of this stuff just by doing. Are you still in NC? If so, I would put in seedlings now, rather than seeds. Should start your seeds early on, I think, in order to give yourself an advantage. Right now for me, it is a big race until July, when it gets so hot basically everything will stop growing and might very well expire from the heat. Probably you don't have that problem.

Slow to bolt does mean "goes to seed," so for lettuce, etc. it won't be as tasty, since it is spending its energy on seeds, not food!

I start my fall garden in Oct. or so and grow all through the winter. Did very well with radishes this year!

[Inchworm]

2. I'm in zone 6

I think I'm right on time as far as planting goes. The likelyhood of another frost is slim. I have been asking around. Some start seed in garden on May 1st and some swear by waiting until Memorial day.

I started several tomato plants and flowers, but plan to grow all right in the garden.

That "bolt" kept coming up and now I understand. I will learn about the fall garden as I go. Heh, thats about how I'm learning all this. Learn as you go and ask hella questions :)

Thanks for the help crispini!

:hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Cheap and easy frost protection

If there is the threat of a surprise late frost you can protect most young plants by putting cardboard boxes or large plastic containers or buckets over them for the night. That keeps the frost from touching the tender leaves and killing the plants. Just be sure that no part of the covering touchs the plants and that you remember to uncover them in the morning to let them warm up with the sun.

:-)

[bhikkhu]

3. Good Luck - plan on enjoying the learning curve

As there really is one :)

Where I live (high desert - SE OR) the problem is the short growing season. It snowed a couple of days last week, and lows in the twenties. But I still have tomatoes out, covered at night. One of the challenges is using the harvest, and I tend to grow the bulk of the garden specifically for storage. I freeze a wonderful leek and potato soup, can green beans, turn tomatoes to ketchup, etc.

Basically it is fun and relaxing, and particularly with the price of food, there is nothing better than spending evenings out in the garden, pulling weeds, watching the sprouts, caring for the soil, planning for new and tastier crops...

If you aren't composting, look into it. That is one of the big things in avoiding waste and building soil.