What to grow in a 5.5-inch tall bed?

luigiwu · May 24, 2014

I built a sub-irrigated bed that hold 5.5inch depth of soil. I had planned on using it for lettuce but I'm realizing now (as a newbie gardener) that lettuce will bolt in the summer?
For instance, correct me if I'm wrong, but is my baby pak choi already bolting? Our temps are from 70-mid 50s now but I guess that is too warm?

So what can I plant in this bed? I'm thinking maybe radishes and beets? and then around the beginning of fall, I can start lettuces again?

What would you all do in this scenario?

Below: Is my pak choi bolting already? I was waiting for the white parts on the bottom to get wider but I'm guessing its now or never?

Below: the planting bed - suggestions of how to utilize here?

feldon30 · May 24, 2014

I think you can grow lettuce and spinach, but you will have to harvest often before they bolt. Essentially you'll be producing micro greens. Still makes a good salad.

KarenO · May 24, 2014

hi again, your greens look perfect for eating!

5.5 inches isn't deep enough for beets but Swiss chard would do well in there and can take the heat without bolting. herbs would do great in there too.
If it was mine I would grow a beautiful large crop of basil and make and freeze a whole lot of pesto. then sow greens again for the fall
Karen

Tracydr · May 24, 2014

Swiss chard, collards and basil.

FarmerShawn · May 25, 2014

And yes, the Pak choi is bolting. You might consider covering with some shade to cool things down for these crops.
Nice structure, by the way.

There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

shelleybean · May 25, 2014

The basil is a good suggestion. I have a bed similar to that I use for basil, dill and parsley through the summer. Radishes don't like heat any more than lettuce does and they get pretty pungent when the weather gets hot. Bush beans are an option. Beans have a shallow root system and don't need much depth, but can take the heat of summer. You might be able to get through the summer with chard or beets, especially if you have some shade.

May 24, 2014	#1
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	What to grow in a 5.5-inch tall bed? I built a sub-irrigated bed that hold 5.5inch depth of soil. I had planned on using it for lettuce but I'm realizing now (as a newbie gardener) that lettuce will bolt in the summer? For instance, correct me if I'm wrong, but is my baby pak choi already bolting? Our temps are from 70-mid 50s now but I guess that is too warm? So what can I plant in this bed? I'm thinking maybe radishes and beets? and then around the beginning of fall, I can start lettuces again? What would you all do in this scenario? Below: Is my pak choi bolting already? I was waiting for the white parts on the bottom to get wider but I'm guessing its now or never? Below: the planting bed - suggestions of how to utilize here?

May 24, 2014	#2
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	I think you can grow lettuce and spinach, but you will have to harvest often before they bolt. Essentially you'll be producing micro greens. Still makes a good salad. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

May 24, 2014	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,929	hi again, your greens look perfect for eating! 5.5 inches isn't deep enough for beets but Swiss chard would do well in there and can take the heat without bolting. herbs would do great in there too. If it was mine I would grow a beautiful large crop of basil and make and freeze a whole lot of pesto. then sow greens again for the fall Karen Last edited by KarenO; May 24, 2014 at 10:14 AM.

May 25, 2014	#5
FarmerShawn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,001	What to grow in a 5.5-inch tall bed? And yes, the Pak choi is bolting. You might consider covering with some shade to cool things down for these crops. Nice structure, by the way. There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy. __________________ "Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers

May 25, 2014	#6
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	The basil is a good suggestion. I have a bed similar to that I use for basil, dill and parsley through the summer. Radishes don't like heat any more than lettuce does and they get pretty pungent when the weather gets hot. Bush beans are an option. Beans have a shallow root system and don't need much depth, but can take the heat of summer. You might be able to get through the summer with chard or beets, especially if you have some shade. __________________ Michele

May 24, 2014	#4
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Swiss chard, collards and basil.