A Garden Update

Ok here we are in the Middle of August and I thought that I really should give you  an update on how my garden was working this year.  In case this is your first time reading about my garden you should know that this year I tried three major changes. I created raised beds out of several different materials, I also started to use the Square Foot Gardening Method, I have also started all my plants from seeds that I purchased from Baker Creek Seed Company.  All my plants are Heirloom plants that I have not used on pesticides on.

Well I have to say that overall I am very impressed with the garden this year.  I do see that I am going to have to do re arranging and re organizing of my garden.  I think part of the problem is that I didn’t accurately think about the space that  some of my tomatoes and squash were going to need when I planned this out paper.

I love these “Amish Paste” tomatoes that I am growing. They are huge, strong, large producing plants.  But I failed to think about the fact that I needed to trellis them.  I kept thinking ok I need to stake them but it never seemed to happen.  So now I have tons of green tomatoes ripening on my counter since there was no way for them to ripen on the vines when the foliage is that thick. 

Also I planted Spaghetti Squash for the first time this year and  boy did I forget that it is a massive vine plant.  Well lets just say that I have runners EVERYWHERE.

So I have already planned-at least for the first draft-the new beds for next year. I have added several and re-arranged the placement of many of the plants for two reasons. One it is a very good idea to practice crop rotation and two I found out some of the plants really need more room-see paragraph above.

I have also put more planning into what plants I can plant in early spring into the beds that will be done prior to needing that bed again for warm weather crops, that will also offer me the ability to re-seed for a fall garden. 

This is where a Gardening Journal really comes in handy. You can have a central location for all the information on your plants, beds etc.  I am adding this a section to my household binder that I am creating to help keep my household running smoothly.