This year my garden planning has started with a gusto in February. Usually it doesn't start until May when I'm leafing through my old seed packets the night before my first planting day. Imagining fresh herbs and fresh lettuce coming straight from the garden has given me a new burst of energy and has hopefully bought me a few more weeks of winter thriving. Though it's difficult to remember what it was even like to have a garden. Has it ever been warm enough for that? How are those flowers not dieing from a cold frost? These pictures must be from that alternate reality I used to live in where birds and bees flew around outside, and I could walk around without my nose freezing shut.
In our 4 x 8' plot, we're planning to grow lettuce, tomatoes, beets, carrots, radishes, beans, cucumbers, kale, basil, and cilantro. We're hoping to do some succession planting throughout the season and possibly extend our season into November with the help of some cold frames. We'll be supplementing our harvest with the communty garden's herb circle, farmer's markets, and our community supported agriculture box.
Here's a not-so-great picture of our deck from last summer. It extends maybe ten feet off the front of our house then stretches across the whole front length of our house. The picture gives you a basic idea of what I'll be working with (beagles included).
I'll be stocking up on some seeds this weekend when I go to the Botanical Garden's annual orchid show with my mom, sister, and cousins. And then, if things go according to plan, I'll start growing some seeds inside in the next month or two.
What would you like to grow this season?
P.S. Have you ever signed up for a community supported agriculture box? This will be my fifth season doing it. See my post here for more information about it. When you find a CSA program that's a good fit for you it can be an excellent way to eat fresh veggies all summer long with the added benefit of supporting your local farmers and local economy!