What should I plant in my (urban) garden?

[RPM]

OK - here's the story - I have a 4 ft by 20 ft strip of ground in my back yard alongside of my garage. I cleared it today of the evergreen bushes that were there. Soil is kinda sandy on top, but clayis about 4 inches down (western PA); i intend on putting some new soil there when I plant.

Since it is along the garage it gets the morning sun, but is shaded from direct sun from about 1:30 PM on.

I want to plant stuff i can eat in there (tomatos, peppers, etc.) Also, we have a couple of cats that wander around, so i want to take steps to protect against them getting their paws on my goodies.

Any ideas on what i should plant and/or tips on growing in general?

TIA.

[crispini]

1. Start off with lots of amendments:

green sand, compost, and organic fertilizer. You might want to look into the lasagna gardening method also -- just google "lasagne gardening." I'm trying this on my next bed.

It's really time for fall crop vegetables, so look into what you should be planting right now for your area. Check this map to see what zone you are in:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

[XNASA]

2. You gettin' a late start, aincha?

Pole beans
Lettuce & mesclun (salad greens)

Herbs would do well..

But I don't know how much luck you'll have with tomatoes or peppers because it seems like you won't have enough sun. I think that smaller bit size tomatoes (sugar bombs we call them) might be OK.

[RPM]

4. i may just plant next year...

We bought the house recently and clearing that area was low priority. Clearing it became my stress relief buring prep for the bar exam...

[XNASA]

6. I'd still get the ground ready even if you won't plant.

It will be that much easier next year.

[Love Bug]

3. Make sure you have the soil tested for lead

Since you have an urban garden, you want to make sure there is no lead in the ground. There are places in the inner city of Minneapolis where you can't eat what you grow because of either lead paint contamination or lead from exhaust fumes from years ago.

Other than that, you'll need a good 6 hours of sun or more to grow most vegetables. You can try and see what you get!

Now, with cats, the issue is you don't want them to use your garden for a litter box. A low fence might do the trick in keeping them out. I think there is stuff you can get from a pet store that will shoo them away, too.

[RPM]

5. do marigolds work on them?

or is that just for stopping bunnies?

[Love Bug]

10. I don't know if marigolds repulse cats

I had a bunny problem last year and what worked for me was hanging dryer sheets along the sides of the garden plot. I guess the bunnies don't like the smell and it kept them away.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. definitely test for lead and other contaminants

Even if the soil is loaded with it, you can still plant in this strip by creating lined raised beds and buying clean loam (assuming the garage itself isn't peeling lead paint -- check it too.)

The other suggestions here are great --Square Foot Gardening is a good resource. You will be amazed at how much you can grow in that space with a little planning.

Buy the biggest healthy plants you can find --1 healthy quart or gallon size plant is better than starting now with several 4" pots. Avoid tall and skinny plants or ones with long roots escaping from the bottom of the pots. Do not buy tomato plants that already have baby fruit because they will not be as productive as ones planted without. These are signs of plants that are stressed.

A quick way to start a veggie garden this year without all the advance prep is to buy bags of soil and place them unopened on the cleared area. Cut slits in the top of each bag and transplant directly. At the end of the season you can dump the bags in the bed with other amendments in preparation for next year.

Cats hate pepper (black and cayenne), orange peels, and anything that feels rough under their delicate paws. A short chicken wire fence out to do the trick. Sprinkling pepper around the outer perimeter will be some added protection.

Good luck!

[Shakespeare]

7. 1. It's NOT too late to plant!

and 2. SQUARE FOOT GARDENING. Go get the book--buy it, check it out at the library, whatever works best for you. It's the single best gardening method I've ever seen for small spaces (I use it devotedly for my 15' x 15' community garden plot). I think some other DUers use this method, too.

Here are some other tips:

1. Buy a bag (or two) of organic compost; you can still amend the soil and improve it even at this late date.

2. Check with places like Home Depot for vegetables in 1-gallon pots; you should still be able to find some tomato and pepper plants that are far enough along to give you a good harvest this year.

3. Plant winter vegetables NOW (winter squashes, pumpkins, cabbages, brussels sprouts, root vegetables, etc.).

And just because the summer is nearing an end doesn't mean you can't garden almost year-round; most lettuces and things like carrots, radishes and snap peas do better in cold weather.

Most of all--have fun!

[bicentennial_baby]

8. Use black plastic for the peppers if you plant them

Black plastic on the ground beneath the peppers will keep the soil sufficiently warm...plant in the evening, out of the hot sun, so that the plants will not be burned.

[KG]

9. ganja

[Love Bug]

11. There is a gardening group in DU groups

I'm sure some of the folks there can give you good advice!

[AngryAmish]

13. An herb garden is always nice

[barb162]

14. because of the cats get a list from your local humane society

on poisonous plants to cats...any kind of lily including daylilies, etc. I am amazed at how extensive these lists are. If you can't find a list, write back.

[RPM]

17. for the protection of the plants or the cats (or both)? n/t

[JVS]

15. El primo cheeba cheeba!

[RPM]

16. you wanna bogart my doobage, eh?

mmmm, OK. :D