seedling season... Last weeked officially kicked off my 2010 gardening season. I ordered my seed packets—72 in total. You would think that seemingly excessive quantity may tip you off on my inability to show restraint when in the company of a good seed catalog. But in an effort towards full disclosure, I probably should also mention the 68 seed packages that are carry-overs from past summers that I also plan on planting. Does one family really need to grow 12 different varieties of lettuce and 10 different types of tomatoes? Probably no, but therein lies all the fun and adventure of continually experimenting with difference kinds/varieties of vegetables and herbs.
My goal this year is to have a fully stocked root cellar come this time next winter. I am still chomping on Borrettana Cipollini onions and Prisma shallots from last summer, so those are both definite keepers to continue planting this year. I'm also planning on adding on fall crop heavy hitters that have fabulous storage ability like Sunshine and Nutty Delica winter squash, Round Black Spanish radishes, Atomic Red carrots, and Jarrahdale pumpkins.
With each gardening season comes the opportunity to open my family and myself up to a new taste adventure. Beets, rutabagas, chicory, chinese cabbage, kale and celeriac will be our choice for this year. I've never been a beet kinda gal, but I swear by this time next year I will be!
So this weekend I will be sterilizing seed trays (and my large collection of yogurt cups that I've been stealing out of the recycling bin), drafting up lofty garden layouts and marking the calender with succession planting dates. And I will be doing it all with the biggest grin on my face. Merry garden planning to each of you!
4 comments:
growing your own food is the most satisfying work on the planet!
Just be careful with the beets...there are so many a girl (even with the help of a guy) can eat...I plant 15-20 beet seed clusters every couple of weeks...and then thin the plants out as they come up...the greens are beautiful in salads
good to know about successful 'keepers'; therein lies the struggle!
Reading this post made me smile!
As for beets look out for my post tomorrow! Flighty xx
Congratulations. I can't wait to see your garden this year. It sounds like it's going to be wonderful and it will be very interesting to see how you store everything for next year!
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