What should I grow in my new raised bed (growing, butterflies, containers)

[StanFischlerHockE]

I received a raised bed for a gift. Keter Elevated Garden Bed.

I live in North Carolina and wondering what I could plant now that its really hot and humid each day? 90+

Shall I wait until fall to plant lettuce? I have no idea what I am doing to be honest so just need some guidance on what to grow and when.

I would like to have the following:
Parsley
Cherry tomatoes
jalapeno peppers.
Lettuces
cucumbers

Adding a question. What kind of soil do I fill it with? Anything good at HD or Lowes or should I go to garden center?

Thanks much!

[twinkletwinkle22]

I am in North Carolina and my suggestions are:

Parsley should do well started end of August although several butterflies like to eat it as caterpillars before turning into lovely butterflies. I grow it for them and for cooking with it.

It's pretty late in the year to start growing tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, they all like summer heat especially peppers.

Yes to starting lettuce seeds now which will be happy in cooler fall temps.

The big choice in bagged soil is to pick "potting" type for raised beds. If a bag is really heavy it's not potting mix, find that and your plants will put roots out much better. To save money I fill my large containers with garden soil in the bottom and put potting mix on top.

Find your local co-operative extension (there are 110 in NC) and they will have a calendar showing what crops do well in which months.

Have fun!
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/search-resu...calendar+crops