I want to start a garden in August - is that possible?

**jershaanddup** · 06-14-2009, 01:10 PM

I would like to start a garden when I move in late July. I can't do one now because I live in an apartment with a shared balcony (the balcony is shared with everyone who lives upstairs in this building). I live in the Midwest (Southern Indiana to be exact). Is there anything I can start growing in late July/early August?

Thanks!

**frugalfranny** · 06-14-2009, 02:07 PM

I am guessing, but isn't that about a zone 6? Know your zone for the first part and plant accordingly.

The others from midwest will know more.....but the fall veggies is what came to my mind......if that. If you are talking a veggie garden only.

If it is flowers then there are lots of things that can be planted in the fall, 'settle in' and still be okay. The hard part for around here is finding them in the nurseries. Peonies do much better with fall planting. Clematis can be planted in the fall......I guessed that you were talking food items though.

**sunshine** · 06-14-2009, 02:11 PM

Sure -- turnips, radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, peas - are the things I can think of off the top of my head. Oh, and some zucchini might do ok. . . any fast maturing variety of some traditional foods.

**jershaanddup** · 06-14-2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

I am guessing, but isn't that about a zone 6? Know your zone for the first part and plant accordingly.

The others from midwest will know more.....but the fall veggies is what came to my mind......if that. If you are talking a veggie garden only.

If it is flowers then there are lots of things that can be planted in the fall, 'settle in' and still be okay. The hard part for around here is finding them in the nurseries. Peonies do much better with fall planting. Clematis can be planted in the fall......I guessed that you were talking food items though.

Yes, it's zone 6 but we're very close to zone 7.

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-14-2009, 02:31 PM

You will have to do a lot of work to remove the grass, till and prepare the soil, unless previous homeowners have done it already. And in August...

If the yard has been treated by a chemical service recently (within a year or two) you might even be looking at replacing the soil.

Here's your state agricultural extension site: http://www.extension.purdue.edu/gardentips/fruits.html

Check out the publications links to related pdf documents.

**jershaanddup** · 06-14-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by sunshine

Sure -- turnips, radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, peas - are the things I can think of off the top of my head. Oh, and some zucchini might do ok. . . any fast maturing variety of some traditional foods.

Are there any fall fruits?

**jershaanddup** · 06-14-2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

You will have to do a lot of work to remove the grass, till and prepare the soil, unless previous homeowners have done it already. And in August...

If the yard has been treated by a chemical service recently (within a year or two) you might even be looking at replacing the soil.

Check out the publications links to related pdf documents.

I probably should have mentioned this but I'm planning on doing square gardening where each crop takes up a 12 inch by 12 inch square. We are moving to another apartment and will be gardening on a balcony so this is the only thing we can do.

**craftypam** · 06-21-2009, 05:26 PM

broccoli and cauliflower are two more you can grow. You might have a hard time getting plants. So count back from when you plan on planting and start seeds. I think you can start beans to becuase they grow fast. You will be able to plant cold weather crops. I think fruits grow on trees; not in a garden that I can think of.