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Most sites that I've read say that fall crops such as cabbage, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, etc., should not be planted until at least the end of August. However, on the actual packets themselves that I bought, a lot say that for my region (8a, Tucson, AZ) that they should be planted mid-summer. I have a raised bed ready to go with Mel's Mix and was wondering if I should wait or go ahead and plant? I purposely put the SFG in a very shady spot. It only gets direct sun until about 1pm and then the shade starts to cover it and it is full shaded by about 4 or 5. Any advice?
August is mid summer. Cabbage and broccoli need to be started and transplanted in August- September. So they should started ASAP. Carrots will be ok anytime as long as you can keep them damp and cool enought to sprout. You are on your own for lettuce, but it does depend on the type.
I am planning on starting them outside. It seems for me, that with the harsh AZ elements, transplants don't do well, but when started outside from seed, they learn early on how to deal with the heat, sun, etc. So, should I still start them now, or should I wait until August? The lettuce is green leaf.
Just remember that time to harvest for Broccoli, Cabbage and the like is from the setting of transplants and plan accordingly. Mine are already up and will transplanted in August for harvest in late November - January. I only use about a hundred plants mixed Cabbage, cauliflower, Broccoli and Collards, so I start them in a big flowerpot in semi- shade.
