New plot, what to plant?

[katkatkat]

Hello,

In the last 3 days I have been offered and given a raised bed completely out of the blue. I'm unprepared and haven't even given gardening a thought as I still had at least a year on the allotment list.

My bed is about 7' x 14' and needs a good weed but then should be ready to go.

Nearly everything I've found is to be sown by June at the latest and by the time I've weeded and got to a garden centre it will be July. What would be best for me to try growing at this time of year?

Thanks

Kat

[Mr Bones]

Congratulations on your new plot K and welcome to the vine.
I'd go for beetroot and beans (French climbers or runners). If you're not cleared in time to sew from scratch keep your eyes out for ready grown plants at garden centres and markets. I'm just sowing coriander, florence fennel, chard and more french beans.
Good luck with it and enjoy the prospect of all that lovely fresh produce.

[happyhumph]

Plenty of time for lettuce, japanese/Asian greens, radish, chard, winter spinach etc. If you can start things in pots while you weed & then transplant that will give you a head start & as Mr bones says you should still be able to get plug plants. In November you can put garlic in, & winter is a good time for planting rhubarb if you like it.

Welcome to the vine, it's good here!

[katkatkat]

Thanks for the advice!

In the end with two of us working the weeding was relatively quick (though the bed has mare's tail in it ) so I've put in salad crops, some root veg, beans and chard. I've got some brassica plants coming next week and I'm turning half of one bed (they gave me two in the end) in to a fruit plot.

I figure if nothing grows very well this season at least I've tried and made a start.

Now I just need to work out how to improve my heavy clay soil and win the battle against the mare's tail!