Garden Planning For 2017 : Garden Mapping

Here it is, November 28th and it rained hard with thunder and lightening all day long.  It was 50 degrees and if all of that doesn't get a person in the mood for spring, what will?  Maybe we will have a short balmy winter.

When I'm on top of things in the garden I know every plant, and their common and Latin Names.

I have maps of the garden which include date planted, and notes if I've moved something or if it didn't survive the winter.

Planning next year's garden is fun, particularly the vegetable garden, which is all new every year.  I faithfully rotate my crops so nothing is grown in the same spot every year.

For the 2017 vegetable garden, I know which beds I want to plant a few things in, tomatoes need the sunniest spots, lettuces would like some shade and protection from varmints.

Many of my beds have lots of open spaces in my plan thus far.  I want to see what seeds I buy, and I'd really like to try the Square Foot Gardening method in a couple of beds next spring.    How I've managed to garden all these years without trying it, I don't know.  Perhaps because I've only been working on vegetables for a few years.  There are many techniques to try, and I'm excited to see what can be done.

Here is my vegetable map so far:

I'm not sure what varieties of beans, peas, peppers, melons or culinary herbs I'll plant, but I penciled those in at the side of the map as a reminder to look for varieties to fill the beds.  There is plenty of space in this garden for plants in pots as well.  It is usually my favorite area of the yard.

Time to dream of summer.

Garden Planning For 2017: Seed Companies

I'm preparing for spring, one of the happiest things a person can do.  Mondays in November I'll post some of my strategies for dreaming of next year's garden in advance.  

I'm thinking of ordering from just a few seed companies for 2017.  I'm looking for nice varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers.  Most companies don't have their catalogs for 2017 ready yet, but I'll be watching for them.

I'm not certain if I'll make a preliminary list of things I know I want to grow, then look at these companies catalogs to see who has the most appealing selection and price, or do what I usually do and just look through their catalog making a wish list then paring it down.

Renee's Garden

Renee's has new offerings every season which are often stunning, even if the item is a lowly vegetable.  She also specializes in smaller varieties which can be grown in containers, something I really enjoy more every year.  There are even sets of seeds on themes, individual packets in a larger packet.   As you can see on her page there is also a Cookbook.

It's now online only with no physical catalog.  There are updates about new plants and seeds on everyone's favorite Twitter feed      https://twitter.com/reneesgarden


Park Seed

I actually haven't ordered from Park for awhile, but they have a huge variety of vegetable and herb seeds in particular that I'm going to peruse for 2017.   They have also always had some of the best seed starting supplies anywhere.

Get a look at some of their featured items on Twitter:    https://twitter.com/ParkSeed


Nichols Garden Nursery Herbs and Rare Seeds

I love growing herbs, and have been trying to use them as well in cooking.   What I need to find is a list of the most common herbs used in cooking and make sure I grow those.  I also like the idea of growing a tea garden, and making tea with nice fresh herbs from my garden.  I think Nichols can help me with these ideas.

Up to date information on their offerings and lots of recipes on Twitter:   https://twitter.com/NicholsGarden

They have some odd ads in their Twitter Feed, I'm not sure what that's about.


Stokes Seeds

The Canadian seed company made a greater effort to appeal to the home gardener last year with a beautiful catalog featuring the best flowers, vegetables and herbs for home gardens from their vast seed list.  They've also been featuring garden tools and ornaments that are useful and fun.

Alas no Twitter page for them that I see.