re: Late start to growing veggies or herbs

Basil loves heat and will do just fine in a pot or windowbox. Ditto for chives, oregano, and mint. Remember to keep pinching back the herbs once they're established; if you let them flower, they'll keel over and die. Keep removing flowers and the plant will continue to grow.

Certain pepper varieties are okay in smaller spaces; habanero/scotch bonnet is a compact plant with good production even in smallish containers.