Question
Hi there! I started a sqft garden last year (4 actually) and I have a couple of questions I hope you can help me with. First, I have not planted anything yet and I know it is late in the season, but I was hoping you would have some recommendations for what to put in the ground. Second, my first round of crops fared well last year, but when I tried to rotate in new plants I followed the advice from the book and used a trowel full of compost to replace the nutrients in the soil with poor results. I was hoping you could recommend a fertilizer or soil amendment to help reinvigorate my soil. Thank you!

Answer
Jerry, it is too late to start tomatoes and peppers by seeds. However, you can still purchase seedlings at your local garden center. You can also still plant summer squash, beets, lettuce (summer varieties), cabbage, and beans. It is much too late for certain vegetables such as corn and melons.

In regard to soil amendments, I would recommend aged manure and/or peat, Both are available through your local garden centers.  You need to add at least 2" to the entire bed. One trowel in each hole is not sufficient.  This fall, add compost and shredded leaves. These will add tilth to the soil and prepare your beds for next spring.

Good luck, and have a great weekend.

Mike