I walked out into the garden the other day once the snow melted, and was astonished to see broccoli, lettuce, the red clover cover crop, and arugula still growing. Kate posted two things recently, that have me all fired up to talk about next year's garden. But first, comes the self-critiquing... Here are some things (in no particular order) that I would like to learn from and/or accomplish next year:
+ The tomatoes got leaf rot. Learn to be more diligent about tying them up every week. Also, space them further apart from other rows.
+ The corn was attacked by stink bugs. Not sure how to combat this one... advice?
+ The cucumbers produced prolifically, but maybe we should stagger a couple crops. They also got powdery mildew late in the game. When planting, make a list of crops, what diseases they might get, and take preventative action with home-made remedies.
+ The beans were reaaaaaally attracted to the nearby fence. Plant them a foot further away next time (or better yet, plant something different there. Corn?
+ Eggplants are HUGE! So are peppers. Why do you always give them such little spacing McKenzie?
+ I don't really feel motivated to eat Okra.
+ One eggplant is more than enough.
+ Actually pick the flowers. They will grow back. And harvest the medicinal herbs.
+ Make basil pesto once per week in its hayday. (Get creative and make other kinds of pestos too.)
+ Thin the carrots. And plant them where it's less sunny.
+ Try saving some new seed varieties. (This year's haul.)
+ If we plant the same amount of potatoes, plan to have a better storage solution. Most have all sprouted by now.
+ Build some skinny chicken run "tractors" for easy walkway weeding.
+ Try doing fewer rows and more blocks.
+ Budget for seed garlic. I forgot to do that this year, and never planted a fall crop like I wanted to. Thankfully Gene got some in though.
+ Plant garlic around the fruit trees.
+ Plant herbs on the orchard hillside.
+ Plant winter squash in the field?
+ Grow an experimental wheat, sunflower (?), and quinoa crop in the field.
+ Make a dry-erase freezer/pantry inventory and check-off list.
What did you learn from your garden, and what do you want to do differently this year?
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Ooh, garlic around the fruit trees! I know there's an obvious reason for this - what is it? You're deterring something there, aren't you?
ReplyDeleteI have the same exact problem with potatoes. What are you going to do to solve the storage problem?
I can't tell you how relieved it makes me feel to hear that other people plant things and then don't eat every last bit of what has grown. Sometimes we are just not sure when to harvest and only find out too late what "too late" actually means. I am sometimes as shy about harvesting veg as it sounds like you are about flowers.
I was just over at Kate's blog and saw this too - looks like I'm not the only one with garden fever! I think my goal for next year should just be to not the let the weeds take over again! I have a few ideas for that though... As for next years garden..
ReplyDelete- The farmers across from us will be planting corn this year, so not sure if it would be wise to plant corn across from fifty+ acres of possible gmo corn? hmm..
- I love the idea of a chicken tractor - will need to experiment with this one too..
- I'm planning on experimenting more with potatoes, so I will definitely like to see what you come up with for storage solutions
I can't wait to see how your garden develops this year, especially since we will be battling similar problems geographically and weather wise. oh, and if you find a solution to stink bugs, let me know!!! I still remember the days before those nasty bugs :(
Wow, this is really insightful for me. I'm so impressed that you have such a comprehensive list of things to remember to try or change.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I've never done it before, but I've read it's good at repelling various pests like ants and even moles! About the potatoes, I have no idea yet. There are a lot of things we could do. I'll definitely post about it when we find a solution. Promise to email me when you decide yourself.
ReplyDeleteErin, share your ideas for weed control! Good point about the corn. We're SO lucky to live in a spot that's pretty secluded from corn-ops. My fingers are crossed that it will stay that way. I almost emailed you at the last minute on Tuesday to see if you were interested in meeting me in Frederick for spin club. Email me if you wanna come in February. :)
Adah, thank you. Sometimes it's so frustrating to me that I didn't have the advantage of growing up learning these things from a young age, but so many of us "young farmers" are in the same boat. Do you have a garden?