Am I an Idiot?

[Holachicka]

Because of deer fencing problems, I have not been able to plant my garden until over the last two weeks... I am northern CA, 95664, still trying to figure out my zone... and I'm planting from seed.

I had someone say to me, what are you trying to grow this late in the season? And started to realize, that YEAH! I planted REALLY late! I was hoping to be able to can some tomatoes, and pickles... Am i an idiot, or can I expect SOME sort of harvest?

Sarah

 

[Ridgerunner]

I get that you are in zone 9, for what that is worth. Maybe it will help someone else more than it does me.

Arbor Day Zip Code Planting Zone
http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/zonelookup.cfm

Zip Code Planting Zone
http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/zip.cgi

Zip Code Planting Zone
http://www.garden.org/zipzone/

I think you will still get cucumbers if you plant now from seed. Tomatoes are more problematic. I can't remember the temperature, but at high nighttime temperatures, tomatoes just don't set on when they bloom. I think you still have time for beans, okra, sweet corn and squash from seed and sweet potatoes from slips if you want to try those. Tomatoes maybe, maybe not.

 

[davaroo]

Youre not an idiot - you are only doing what you must. There is no rule that says gardens must be started on this date or that date. That stuff is for the back of seed packets. Some few things require rather long growing periods, like winter squashes. But, most vegetables come in well within 90 days.

Saladings, radishes, greens, beans, squash, even tomatoes and their kin - the list of plants that come on quick enough is long.

Remember, there are still months to go until the end of the growing season. If you can manage 90 days to the first killing frost, then you are good.

 

[NurseNettie]

While you may be planting really late for your area- it's only late, in that you could be eating veggies now... EXCEPT, you wouldn't be, the deer would be. You're saving a lot of time and effort on wasted crops by not planting til your deer issues are solved.
I'm still getting my garden in- in Northern Maine- zone 4b (due to having unplanned emergency surgery on mother's day) I've still got time to get a harvest.
Like Davaroo said-- if you've got 90 days til frost, you're all set for many, many things. That's how I've looked at it- late? yes. no chance? never! we won't get everything we want, but we'll get lots. And you'll get more because you've got much more growing season left than I do

Because of deer fencing problems, I have not been able to plant my garden until over the last two weeks... I am northern CA, 95664, still trying to figure out my zone... and I'm planting from seed.

I had someone say to me, what are you trying to grow this late in the season? And started to realize, that YEAH! I planted REALLY late! I was hoping to be able to can some tomatoes, and pickles... Am i an idiot, or can I expect SOME sort of harvest?

Sarah

 

[boggybranch]

Check this link out. Maybe it will help.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/What-To-Plant-Now.aspx

 

[davaroo]

While you may be planting really late for your area- it's only late, in that you could be eating veggies now...

Good way to put it

 

[patandchickens]

Since you are in California, and your main limiting factor is summer *heat* rather than winter, think of yourself as just being very EARLY for a FALL planting

I mean, you may as well try things now... but it is not like you'll have to wait a whole year before trying anything else

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[vfem]

Youre not an idiot - you are only doing what you must. There is no rule that says gardens must be started on this date or that date. That stuff is for the back of seed packets. Some few things require rather long growing periods, like winter squashes. But, most vegetables come in well within 90 days.

Saladings, radishes, greens, beans, squash, even tomatoes and their kin - the list of plants that come on quick enough is long.

Remember, there are still months to go until the end of the growing season. If you can manage 90 days to the first killing frost, then you are good.

Agreed!

 

[wifezilla]

Since you are in California, and your main limiting factor is summer *heat* rather than winter, think of yourself as just being very EARLY for a FALL planting

 

[ducks4you]

GO FOR IT!!!
Here's a few ideas for the deer:
1) chicken wire or high plastic fencing
2) fox urine on the outsides of the garden
3) a radio on a timer to go on at about 11PM and off at about 6 AM--you'll want an obnoxious station and/or one with music and talk--like NPR classical music
AND
you'll need to change it periodically, else the deer will learn to like it.
Anybody else got an deer deterrant ideas?