Post a reply

Image
Mar 4, 2013 11:31 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Mike Keough
Antioch, CA. (Zone 10a)
This is my third year living in a very foggy area of San Francisco. I would like to grow Carrots, lettuce, Chard, Bok Choy and any other Winter kind of veggies and the only area I have available has it's limits. I have included a few photos of the area for some evaluation and your thoughts. How do I plant for maximum coverage and a way to actually harvest? As the sun moves along this area which runs East to West, each area gets about four hours of sun when the sun is actually shining. Suggestions? Thanks, MikeThumb of 2013-03-04/putitupmike/390965
Thumb of 2013-03-04/putitupmike/003a96
Thumb of 2013-03-04/putitupmike/bcf07f
Thumb of 2013-03-04/putitupmike/47e580
Image
Mar 8, 2013 12:01 AM CST
Name: Greg Colucci
Seattle WA (Zone 8b)
Sempervivums Sedums Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Cactus and Succulents Container Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 1
Garden Art Birds Dog Lover Cat Lover Region: Pacific Northwest Hummingbirder
I've found lettuce to be very easy to grow/harvest. Carrots I grown haven't done much, they were tasty but tiny! Chard also should be a good choice there, and since you already have some growing you can add to, or plant other things around it!
It looks like you have lots of space so that's nice! Hurray! Enjoy, post photo! I tip my hat to you.
Image
Mar 8, 2013 10:52 AM CST
Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)
Region: Pacific Northwest Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
I've had good luck with carrots in a bed that accidentally got a heavier than usual load of sand in it.
I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.
Image
Mar 8, 2013 11:57 AM CST
Name: woofie
NE WA (Zone 5a)
Charter ATP Member Garden Procrastinator Greenhouse Dragonflies Plays in the sandbox I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
The WITWIT Badge I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Dog Lover Enjoys or suffers cold winters Container Gardener Seed Starter
There are also those little short, round carrots. And if you like spinach, I'd think it might do well there.
We need to get RickCorey over here; this sounds like his kind of project! Smiling
Think I'll give him a nudge.
Confidence is that feeling you have right before you do something really stupid.
Image
Mar 8, 2013 12:41 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Mike Keough
Antioch, CA. (Zone 10a)
Hi group. Thanks for your thoughts about what to grow. I agree! All those Winter kind of crops which I listed are the things I have had good luck growing. My question remains... " How do I plant for maximum coverage and a way to actually harvest?" It's getting around the first planting to the second and harvesting which I am having trouble with. Mike
Image
Mar 8, 2013 11:42 PM CST
Name: Greg Colucci
Seattle WA (Zone 8b)
Sempervivums Sedums Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Cactus and Succulents Container Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 1
Garden Art Birds Dog Lover Cat Lover Region: Pacific Northwest Hummingbirder
Sorry Mike, I only grow ornamentals except for lettuce, and I harvest that whenever I want it! Thumbs up I tip my hat to you.
Image
Mar 9, 2013 12:30 AM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
"Very foggy" seems like a tough one.

The only time I have trouble harvesting is when I've made a bed too wide. For me that's around 2 feet wide, if I only have access to one side. So I'm happiest when I make my beds three feet wide, or four at most when access is easy from both sides.

Is reaching around things the problem? Maybe planting the4 tallest things in the center or back of a bed, and low things at the front would help. But if you have part shade and lots of fog, you nv eer want a tall anything casting shadows on short anythings!

I also don't bend well or squat easily, so I like a raised bed PLUS a sunken path between the beds. If you're nimble, you might get by with some kind of easy access into the beds, like sunken cinder blocks to stand on without compressing the soil.

I might try to make more beds, long narrow beds, with sunken walkways between them. Maybe a steppingstone every 10-15 feet in a long bed so you can step over it wiothout wlaking around or compressing the soil.

Throwing the topsoil from the walkways onto the beds makes the good soil deeper where the plants are. Even a few2 inches helps, and the walls could be a single 8" or 12" board, or concrete paving stones.

That also gives you great drainage, but your soil looks well drained.

You have a few tall containers: it seems as if they would be easy to reach even if surrounded by low plants like Bok Choy.

P.S. They look like they would enjoy some mulch, like bark chunks or wood chips. Do you add much compost?

P.P.S. I'll be busy this weekend and probably offline from now until Monday, hence slow to respond.
Thumb of 2013-03-09/RickCorey/344ca5 Thumb of 2013-03-09/RickCorey/9ffc93
Thumb of 2013-03-09/RickCorey/49b0d6
Image
Apr 22, 2013 3:00 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Mike Keough
Antioch, CA. (Zone 10a)
Rick Corey, lots of things to consider. Thank you. And your garden is wonderful.
Image
Apr 22, 2013 6:45 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
Thanks very much. I wish I had 10 times as much compost and 10 times as much time to spend in the garden!

If you have sun and space, you can eventually make your own soil. IF you can get or make enough compost!
Image
Mar 17, 2014 12:01 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Mike Keough
Antioch, CA. (Zone 10a)
Wow! I just got a notification that all of you have responded, beyond what I had seen before. I am sorry that I have been inattentive, and do thank you for your notes.
Image
Mar 17, 2014 1:24 PM CST
Name: Cinda
Indiana Zone 5b
Dances with Dirt
Beekeeper Bee Lover Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Cottage Gardener Herbs Wild Plant Hunter
Hummingbirder Butterflies Birds Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Organic Gardener Vegetable Grower
so how did you make out last year (report Smiling )
...and what is on for the area this year?
..a balanced life is worth pursuit.
Image
Mar 19, 2014 6:08 PM CST
Name: Bob
Vernon N.J. (Zone 6b)
Aquarium Plants Bookworm Snakes Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Heucheras
Echinacea Hellebores Dog Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Hostas Region: New Jersey
http://noevalleyvoice.com/2005...
See if this helps at all.
You must first create a username and login before you can reply to this thread.
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by IrisLilli and is called "Purple Crocus Mix"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.