I’m on the new server now and seem to be displaying in all browsers! Just a few more kinks to work out and *hopefully* any security issues are solved so please let me know if you get any more warnings. My virus software stopped me from visiting Oprah’s site the other day when she was extolling real food and it doesn’t warn me when I visit my own site so any guidance around certain posts would be helpful if you do get warnings. Thanks for your patience!
Click to open a larger garden plan.
This week while my site was non-functional I’ve been planning the spring, summer and fall/winter garden boxes. It’s always a well-choreographed dance getting things started and transplanted for fall right around mid-summer when the summer veggies are just getting to full size.
I used the free trial of this garden planning tool at www.growveg.com last year and loved it so much I paid for it this year. Sure, you can do this in excel but it takes a lot of time to map things out. The real value here is that you can quickly drag and drop images and it will automatically fill in for you just how many you can grow in that space. Plants are color coded to let you know they are in the same family so you can group them together, making easier future crop rotations.
And when it comes time to plant, having a diagram like this will save you a lot of hair pulling. Mine looks too full because I’m planting very densely and planning for successive crops. Just as the spring raab and kohlrabi are done the brussel sprouts will be getting large and bushy but by carefully planning I’ll be able to get all three crops in that one bed, and hopefully before it’s time to plant my fall stuff. I also plant on both sides of the T tape (don’t take the wrong way) so that I can get 6 rows instead of 3. It makes my planting style much more like square foot gardening but allows for automatic watering (on a timer even!) This is lazy girl gardening at it’s best. But planning is crucial.
My goal for this year is to grow 90% of our vegetables for 2010. In 2009 it was also my goal, once the garden matured for harvest but I got the fall/winter crops in too late and they only fed us until nearly Christmas. Rather than eat everything out there I’ve left some things overwintering and this recent warm weather has woken them back up. If this continues I’ll be done shopping at the farmer’s market but I’m not counting my chickens. It’s nice to have that to fall back on.
The reason I’ve selected 90% instead of 100% is because I’m not positive I can grow onions large enough to last us all next winter and the perennials should be much larger this year, giving me less room for the bags of potatoes I had scattered around last year. I’ve dedicated one garden bed to them and my dream is to take out the parking strip this spring and put something raised (and fenced from dogs) there. Potatoes would be a great use of that very sunny space. I’d also like to get a few hazelnut trees for that strip as well.
The final reason is that I had late blight last year in the tomatoes. I’m rotating crops and moving the tomatoes as far away as possible from that spot but my front yard is 30 feet deep so there is only so much you can do. I’ve planned for some heirloom slicers and saucers but I’m hoping to buy the bulk of my canning tomatoes directly from a farmer. Since they are for processing I’ll look for #2 (slightly irregular or blemished) fruits which will help soften the financial blow.
It’s funny how tomatoes turned out to be the largest common denominator in every jar that went into my pantry last fall. I grew 30 tomato plants, which I sauced, dried and canned whole and still ended up buying 25 pounds for ketsup. We are down to 3 pint jars of spaghetti sauce, 5 jars of romas recipe-ready, and 2 frozen quart jars of dried tomatoes. Not enough to take us to August, that is for sure.
I’ve ordered my seeds from Uprising Organics and will fill that out with seeds from the non-Seminis (owned by Montsanto) list from Territorial Seeds.
Uprising Organics is a newer seed farm in Acme, WA working hard to restore as many heirloom and ARK varieties as possible, growing most of them in our same crummy gardening climate. Think Seed Savers on a local, much smaller scale although they are adding new seeds at a good clip.
Here is my list of seeds ordered from Uprising:
Beans, Empress Bush Snap
Beans, Provider Bush Snap
Beans, Tiger’s Eye Bush Dry
Carrots, Scarlet Nantaise
Carrots, Red Dragon (we LOVED these this winter)
Greens, Magentaspreen
Radicchio, Variagata di Castelfranco
Radicchio, Early Treviso
Rapini, Spring Raab
Salad Mix
Kale, Lacinato
Kale, Dwarf Blue Scotch
Kale, Red Russian
Lettuce, Romaine, Flashy Trout’s Back
Lettuce, Romaine, Parris Island Cos
Lettuce, Oakleaf, Mascara
Peas, Cascadia Snap
Peas, Sugar Ann Snap
Peas, Maestro Shelly
Peas, Schweizer Riesen Snow
Squash, Costata Romanesca Zuchini
Squash, Sweet Meat, Winter
Tomatoes, Jaune Flammee Slicer
Tomatoes, Super Lakota Slicer
Watermelon, Blacktail Mountain
Cilantro, Pokey Joe
Echinacea Purpurea
Marshmallow
Marigold, French Brocade
Sunflower, Tarahumara
And from Territorial, 2009 or 2010
Arrugula, Rocket from 2009
Basil, Mammoth Sweet from 2009
Beans, Sunset Runner Snap
Beets, Early Wonder
Brussel Sprouts, Roodnerf from 2009 – these were amazing in flavor!
Brussel Sprouts Rubine
Buckwheat cover crop
Cabbage, Red Express from 2009
Cabbage, China Express
Celery, Utah from 2009 – died off in the December freeze
Celeriac, Brilliant
Clover, Crimson Cover Crop
Collards, Champion – currently overwintering some that is doing great
Corn, Bantam Sweet from 2009
Cucumber, Marketmore 97 Eating from 2009
Cucumber, Alibi Pickling
Cumin
Dill, Dukat
Dill, Fern Leaf
Greens, Claytonia from 2009
Greens, Purslane from 2009
Greens, French Sorrel from 2009
Greens, Belle Aisle Cress from 2009
Greens, Vit from 2009
Johnny Jump Up
Kale, Fizz
Kale, White Russian from 2009 – growing great right now
Kohlrabi, Kolibiri
Leeks, Giant Musselburgh from 2009
Lemon Balm
Lettuce, Continuity Butterhead from 2009
Lettuce, Italienischer from 2009 – did great this winter with some protection
Lettuce, Provencal Mix from 2009
Fennel, Perfection
Onions, Guardsman from 2009
Onions, Talon from 2009
Orach
Parsley, Italian Flatleaf
Potatoes, German Butterball
Pumpkins, Magic Lantern from 2009
Sage
Spinach, Bloomsdale Savoy from 2009 – overwintering just fine
Spinach, Malibar
Swiss Chard, Bright Lights from 2009 – mildewed in early fall
Tarragon, French
Tomatoes, Black Plum
Plus tons of varieties of fall/winter broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower that I probably won’t grow again.
And my shorter list from the upcoming (March) Tilth Sale at Magnussen Park:
2 Hazelnut Trees
3 Seaberry Bushes
1 Elderberry Bush
1 Black Currant Bush (to join my existing one)
1 Red Currant Bush (to replace my native non-edible one)
1 Concord Grape Vine
And even shorter list From Rockridge Orchards late Feburary or March when available:
Horseradish
Hardy Ginger
Black Peppercorn
I did manage to save some tomato seeds from the Cherokee Purple and Stupice but neglected to get the black plum. My goal this year: save seeds from every tomato, the 4 beans I’m trialing, the 4 peas I’m trialing, the pumpkins (since they will actually be outside the yard this year and away from the others), and the basil. Someday I’m going to figure out how to save carrot and beet seeds. I’ve never seen a flower off them so I’m completely befuddled how that works.
How about you? Have you started your seed lists and garden plans? Starting seeds is just a few short weeks away.
Next week I’ll be hosting a seed giveaway, digging out my seed start up gear and showing you a few ways that you can very inexpensively get some seeds going by Valentine’s day.
Trowels to the ready!
18 responses so far ↓
1 Myrnie // Feb 1, 2010 at 1:09 am
Oh boy- this is why I love coming here! I *just* posted my own list and was thinking how crazy long it was…and you’ve shown me that it’s not nearly long enough. My leeks are just poking through the soil in their tray in my kitchen, and the green onions I planted last year woke up in December and are almost ready for their first harvest of the year. Happy Gardening!!
2 admin // Feb 1, 2010 at 1:35 am
good for you for getting them started already! I’ve had bronchitis holding me back from completing some bulk seed buys and I can’t start everything till I get the darn seeds! Right now I’m coordinating a bulk seed order from Territorial with the Seattle Urban Farm group if you want to join in. Just email me.
3 kitsapFG // Feb 1, 2010 at 9:14 am
My seeds are all purchased and I am into the beginning stages of my annual big spring seed starting efforts. The really big seed starting point for me is mid February. I have to juggle things around to fit everything under my light system.
Great list of varieties. Quite a few familiar ones as well as several I have never heard of. It will be interesting to read how your garden grows in 2010.
Here’s hoping for a blight free 2010.
4 The Mom // Feb 1, 2010 at 9:34 am
Great plan. You have a fabulous list as well. I have a few things that I started this weekend, but the bulk of it will be planted in Feb and March. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the weather cooperated and we all had perfect gardens?
5 julia // Feb 1, 2010 at 11:30 am
I am always humbled by your reports! This is an incredible plan. I wish I was this well prepared. There is no action on the docket at the moment (it is a bit colder here!), but I do know that the tomatoes will be moved far away. I like your idea of locally sourcing tomatoes for processing. If I can hold back on the tomato plants, I’ll do just that!
6 Kristi // Feb 1, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Hi! Found you from Tigress’ site. Great seed list! Thanks for the link to Uprising. I already have all my seed from Irish Eyes in Ellensburg, but maybe next year I’ll check into Uprising as they are west of the Cascades and more local (is there such a word as “localler?”) to me.
7 Laurie // Feb 1, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Good for you! I’m behind in my ordering, but it’s starting out as one of those years. It’ll get done, I’m sure. I don’t usually get my transplants started until late February/early March, and the last few growing seasons have been so darn cold I couldn’t put my transplants out early anyway, even under cover.
Have you ever tried Fedco Seeds? They are my absolute favorites – similar values to the companies you mention. I’ve got all my favorites listed on my blog sidebar.
As for saving seeds – I highly recommend the book Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth. To maintain a pure and strong strain of seed, you should have at least 20 plants of a given variety – more is better. Otherwise your strain will weaken over time. Tomatoes are largely self-fertile, but will cross pollinate, so the seed you saved may not come true to type.
Here’s a blog post from spring planting season last year: http://commonsensehomesteading.blogspot.com/2009/05/spring-planting-finally.html
Beans and peas are easier. As long as you have several feet between varieties, the seed should breed true. Both peas and beans tend to self-pollinate. If I am growing varieties near each other that I want to save for seed, I plant plenty of flowers in between to minimize bee cross-pollination. In my climate (zone 5), I have to set aside plants to harvest seeds from and not harvest any young beans/peas from them. If I pick and then let some mature, they will generally not ripen before frost.
Carrots and beets are biennials. The roots must be overwintered and then they flower and seed out the following spring. Carrots will readily cross-pollinate with Queen Anne’s Lace or other varieties of carrots.
8 admin // Feb 1, 2010 at 11:08 pm
KFG – I’m shooting for then as well. I have scallions, onions, shallots, garlic and walla walla out there coming up nicely plus still the overwintering Italienischer, collard greens, cabbage and all manner of kale so I feel no particular rush to start salad greens. Salads just don’t sound good to me until the weather warms up anyway but when it does I’ll be ready!
Have you guys been to KFG-s blog yet? The most amazing gardening blog ever and the seed starting schedule is my model. Last year I followed Steve Soloman’s schedule and it’s way behind KFG so that is my new model.
Mom, I agree! We’ve had a really mild winter this year, mid December notwithstanding. I’ll have to come check out your seed list after the dishes are done!
Julia, my initial plan was just to grow what I could and buy everything from farmers but I surprised myself last year by being able to grow so much. I give http://www.growveg.com all the credit since it’s really all planning with smaller spaces. Buying from local farmers is a great way to go though!
Hi Kristi – glad to have you here! I need to check them out. I’ve heard them mentioned around potatoes I think on Sinfonian’s blog. Localler is about the best new word I’ve heard in a long time!
Laurie – what a great seed starting setup you have! I’m so envious of your green house and cold frame. I tried to comment but it wouldn’t let me (usually blogger won’t unless you have a free blog somewhere) Fedco looks great. For some reason the name just smacked Walmart to me but I see now it’s not at all.
That makes perfect sense that carrots & beets are biennials. Maybe I’ll look for a corner somewhere to start some and leave them in now that I know that. It would be an interesting experiment! I will look for that book, it’s something I’ve been meaning to learn about. Your acre garden sounds divine but I bet it’s a ton of work! My work is all in the planning.
9 Justine // Feb 2, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Hi, thanks for introducing me to growveg.com, I LOVE it!
10 admin // Feb 2, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Hi Justine, – last year I didn’t buy it, just used it to plan the garden but trying to coordinate so many crops in such a small space and then adding the factor of getting fall/winter stuff in the middle of summer crops just makes it a necessity for me. I balked at $20 a year but when you look at how cheaply we eat organically grown fresh veggies (just the seeds) $20 is nothing. It means I can literally double my output.
Now if I was a super seasoned gardener like Kitsap FG I wouldn’t need it. For now though, it’s my secret weapon.
11 Rhett // Feb 3, 2010 at 1:51 am
I have a friend who’s been unable to read your site, because it keeps redirecting her off your page. I am able to view your page, and the source shows a curious snippet of javascript which seems to load another script from itsallbreaksoft.net and then potentially redirect your top page. It definitely doesn’t look innocuous, so you might wish to investigate it.
I also noticed you mention that your antivirus popped up some warnings, so I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe the issue isn’t just security issues on your server, but if someone has installed a virus on your computer, they could be stealing your password even if you keep changing it. I found one page suggesting that the script might be embedded in your header.php template file, so you might want to check that in addition to maybe getting a different virus scanner on your PC.
12 admin // Feb 3, 2010 at 2:31 am
thanks Rhett. I’ve cleared out everything Norton found so I’m going through it all again. Ack! This is still happening to you today assuming?
13 Jess @OpenlyBalanced // Feb 3, 2010 at 5:41 pm
FYI, this post gave me a security issue when I tried to open it last night but appears to be fine today.
What an awesome garden plan! Thanks for the link to GrowVeg – that may end up being a huge help to me this year as I try to figure out what on earth I am doing. Looking forward to the garden tutorials
.
14 admin // Feb 3, 2010 at 5:59 pm
OMG Jess, I’m all for garden porn but last night I and who knows how many others got a good dose of some other kinda porn. I’m so sorry about that. I stayed up until 1 going through all the files and cleared off the redirect. I’m up on the new server now and hopefully everything I brought over with me is scrubbed clean. Some isues displaying in IE that my host will hopefully get fixed since he had to roll back to and old backup, meaning earlier in the week when it wasn’t displaying. I can’t wait to have this behind me!
15 angela // Feb 4, 2010 at 6:42 pm
annette, if you ever host a garden tour, please count me in!!
16 admin // Feb 4, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Angela,
I will definitely hosting an open garden, probably late April or early May when things get started but not too late that you couldn’t incorporate any ideas into your own garden. I think Tilth may also have a garden tour in June or July but I can’t wait that long to meet everyone. xo!
17 tigress // Feb 6, 2010 at 9:15 am
this is really inspiring. as i sit here in semi-snowy new york city this weekend. i’m getting my gardening books out and making plans!
18 admin // Feb 8, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Tigress – spring is coming for you, I feel it! Sorry you have to listen to everyone else talking about starting seeds while you guys are digging out.
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