Like every gardener, I'm always dreaming of the perfect garden. In reality, there is no such thing. The perfect garden will only exist in my imagination. So every year I spend my time planning what I can do better next year. Some things can't be controlled. This year the weather was a major factor. There wasn't much I could do to improve the fact that we got rain for the entire month of June. All I can do is work with what I'm given. My plans for this year will include dealing better with what I'm dealt.
1. Plant more storage and cold weather crops. I live in New England, not an area well known for long hot summers. The more I read, the more I realize that I need to stop concentrating on things like tomatoes and peppers that are really forced to grow here. I'll still grow them, but want to increase the crops that really thrive here. I'll be looking to grow more root veggies and greens. Which brings me to.
2. Work on season extension. We have a relatively short growing season here in my zone 6 garden. Those who have read my blog for a bit know that I added some beds made from cinder blocks. I will be making some of them into hoop houses. With some electrical conduit or PVC pipe and heavy duty plastic, I should have a nice large area to nurture some spring crops and keep fall and winter crops next year. This is something I've wanted to do for 2 years now, but haven't had the nerve to try. I'm certainly someone who needs to think about things for a while before I do them. My inspiration came from Eliot Coleman's wonderful Four Season Harvest. I highly recommend this book for anyone who dreams of having fresh veggies in January. Its certainly my dream.
3. Increase the perrenial fruits and veggies. I've been doing this for a few years. So far in my tiny suburban yard I have 5 apple trees, 2 peach trees and a cherry tree. Last year I also added 6 blueberry bushes, 5 of which survived my kids. This year I'll be adding strawberries at the least, but would also like to add asparagus and possibly grapes. Herbs have been added to as well and will continue this year as well. I have thyme, oregano and sage. I'll be adding more oregano, mint and some medicinal herbs as well this year.
4. Increase my own seed saving. I've been slowly learning to save my own seeds. This year I saved tomato and pumpkin seeds. Next year I'd like to try my hand at saving some more difficult seeds. I love the thought of saving all my own seeds. As much as I love looking at seed catalogs each year, it would be nice to only have to buy one or two new varieties every once in a while.
5. Keep better track of, my harvests. It's been neat to watch so many bloggers weighing their bountiful harvests. It's truly amazing to see how many pound of produce come from relatively small plots of land. I'd like to see how much I can get from my little suburban plot as well. This will also help me to see where I can make improvements.
I'm sure I'll be adding more goals along the way, but this is a start. What are some of your garden goals for the year?
10 comments:
Oooo, I've been looking at my seed catalogs. I **think** I have it narrowed down, but you know how that goes, LOL. This year I am trying some functioning ornamental types. I'm going for more colours & shapes.
My biggest goal is that it is successful. Last year was our first year gardening in z4/5 (coming from z7), so it was a learning process. We did well considering the learning curve. I learned a lot last year & hope to improve upon my learnings even more this year!
Michaela, the shorter the season, the harder it seems. You'll do wonderfully next year. Its all in the attitude!
I'd like to claim after 10yrs of practice I have this down to an art... and every year something happens from kids (autism), to last year being injured (steel projectile from lawnmower + shin = 21 days of stitches) so my Father planted my garden his way not mine (NOT complaining since I couldn't do it myself) to the weather.
I've learned to relax about it. I plant, it grows, this year I made it to mid August before the weeds took over - went away for a week - Next year I try it again.
I do plan on taking down 1/2 my raspberry patch - not bearing - and trying blueberries again. My strawberry patch didn't survive the cold, wet summer we had, the weeds finished them... so they need to be replanted. Asparagus grows well, and so do potatoes. 2yrs ago - last year didn't plant any - it took 4 wks for them to come up (cold wet spring)... One of my smaller crops, but they still did well. So do onions. Peas, I've had little luck with.
I've been trying heritage seeds. Just for something different.
I am envious of your fruit trees. We just do not have any more space on the property that gets adequate sun to add any more fruit options other than soft fruits such as the berries. However, I am expecting my raspberries, cranberries, and bush pie cherries to really begin producing for me this year (they were new additions last year).
You will love the option of extending your spring and fall season with grow tunnel covers. It really does make a difference in what you can produce.
Last year was the very first year in all my years of gardneing to actually weigh and keep track of the harvest poundage. It was a little bit of a hassle to get in the habit of doing it (was used to just marching right in and starting to cook!) but it was really worth it. I intend to keep up the practice from here on out as it adds alot of useful information on what performed - and what did not really.
Farmwife, you have more experience than I. With health and a little luck we'll all do better next year. Weeds are my nemesis, every year I need to try harder to get them taken care of.
Kitsap, I am quickly running out of room for anything else. I'm curious to see how those bush cherries do as well. I may have to squeeze them in somewhere.
"The Mom said...
Michaela, the shorter the season, the harder it seems. You'll do wonderfully next year. Its all in the attitude!"
I don't know why (maybe it's those girlie hormones), but this really touched me this evening. Thank you!
If it's in the attitude, then I should rock, LOLOL
Michaela, you do rock!
Apple trees to plant...
want to try potatoes, pumpkins,
grow heritage seeds and try saving.
I'm trying to fit it into the space I have and just stretch it a bit..veggies around the deck sort of thing. So weeding/mulching will be needed...
Karen, that sounds great. I'm always trying to squeeze more things in.
Karen, potatoes are easy and forgiving and if warm enough can go in at Easter. The trick is to cut them into good sized chunks with more than one eye and let them sit over night. The bugs in the garden don't bother them as easily that way.
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