Question
We live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and have been having a cold spring.  The last frost is finally past us, I hope.  Over the weekend I put in a 5" raised bed in the backyard and planted several vegetable seed types and a few pepper and tomato plants; it's my first attempt at a backyard garden.  The next day it started raining and hasn't stopped; more rain is coming and already my garden is half full of standing water.  Should I turn everything over and replant, or is there still hope?

Answer
Lisa, it sounds like the bed either has a clay subsoil or you did not apply organic matter above the existing soil. If the subsoil is comprised primarily of clay, it will take several years for the organic matter to work itself into the subsoil. If that is the case, you need to add more depth to the raised bed. My raised beds are all 10" high. Also, living in Ohio, I never plant until May 1st, and even then, I only plant lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and cabbage; all cool-weather crops. I wait until Memorial Day before planting tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplant, corn, and squash.

My suggestion would be to turn over the bed and add more organic soil. This would include compost, manure, and peat. Once you increase the depth, wait a few days until the forecast improves. Then go ahead and replant.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike