2012 Vegetable Garden - Project 24

Today I got to do my first 2012 gardening log in my book. My Aunt Joanne reminded me to keep track of the dates I plant, and what I plant. An idea instilled and practiced by my Grandma (her mama).  My Grandma was a diligent record keeper and logged the weather every day for as far back as we can track. She had gardening journals detailing everything. And while I have this blog, I love nothing more than a good handwritten record to look back on.  So, I've already logged everything (which I'm sure is making Grandma proud) and now its time to blog it!

I've changed my 'garden spreadsheet' a dozen times already and even 'finalized' it five times... opps! I really should know better.  I use growveg.com for my garden template and I love it!


Jeremy tilling the garden.

 The first things to go in the garden were my hanging tomato plants. I'm trying Romas in two hanging baskets to see how they work. I accidentally bought these instead of cherry tomatoes so I figure I might as well try them and see how they work. I'm all about maximizing my space this year.

Second veggie to go in the garden were carrots. I planted carrots in two large terra cotta pots. Our soil is extremely heavy and last year we only had one pop up, and then proceeded to die within days. I read that they would grow well in pots so I'm keeping my fingers crossed this year! The best carrots are fresh from the garden.

Third, I transplanted my tomatoes that had been growing inside for the past month. They are small but have been wilting and crowding each other out this week. The pots I planted them in were too small to begin with, I should have known better. But we planted them anyway and covered each with a 1/2 piece of a 2 liter bottle. This will hopefully keep the fragile little things warm over night and give them a nice little greenhouse during the day. I'll take the covers off in two weeks, when we shouldn't have freezing temps over night any more. I have more to plant when it gets warmer but I wanted a few ready to go asap!

Fourth, I planted potatoes, Yukon Gold. Three rows so far, with room for two more. I didn't plan ahead enough with the one bag I purchased from the greenhouse. Oh darn, will have to make another trip to Nature's Edge next weekend ;)



Rows are east-west.

 Fifth, my mom gave me her extra yellow and purple onions, planted two rows of each. The fall onions are coming up nicely too!



Onions and Garlic are north-south

 Sixth, brought out the small garlic from last year's garden and planted it in two rows. I should have spaced these out a little more but I think they will be fine. The fall garlic are coming up great!



Fall Onion and Garlic

Seventh, turnips. This is my first year growing these so we'll see how it goes! I don't love-love turnips but I do like them in a few different dishes so thought I might as well get them in the garden. 



Turnips and Marigolds are east-west

Eighth, I planted marigolds and alyssum. The alyssum went along the two 'missing' rows of potatoes and along the first row of new onions. These are supposed to be great companion plants for potatoes and garlic/onions. I put a small row of marigolds on both sides of the turnips. I have a lot of each of the flowers left to spread between rows in the garden. I'm hoping it not only helps the soil but boosts the productivity of my veggies.

A couple weeks ago I planted two groupings of asparagus with the hopes of 6-8 more. These were only watered today, nothing exciting.

After planting, everything was watered twice. Then I was done, woohoo! In 2 weeks I will plant the peas, beans, zucchini, transplant my butternut squash and eggplant, and plant extra tomatoes and anything else I find at Nature's Edge next weekend.

Container Gardening

I'm starting to become more realistic. That the huge garden I have planned in my mind will not be a 'spring project' but more of a 5-year-plan. I have since decided to do a few containers to tide me over until I can get my hands dirty in the yard. The hard part was deciding what to put in the containers! Containers plants can be finicky and I'm going to have to watch water and soil mix. I've had problems with both tomatoes and zucchini in the past when planting them in the ground. So those are two I am planning on doing for certain plus peppers . Last year I had very nice red pepper plants that did not produce a thing. I started them from seed and ended up as huge, tall beautiful house plants. Sadly, no peppers.

The previous owners left us 3-4 huge clay pots that I need to get under plates for before they are used for 'gardening'. Last year I planted flowers which were beatuiful but I would like the pots to be of better use this year.

To begin I am going to need soil, preferably organic. I will be able to fill the bottom of the pots with organic material from the woods if I can't find any good cheap organic soil in Bemidji.
(I am still an amateur when it comes to buying organic supplies for gardening so hopefully I can find companies that practice what they preach.) Online I found a reasonably priced mix:

Garden Safe Natural Organic Potting Mix
Product Features -
Enriched with organic slow-release plant food and humates for vigorous plant growth for up to 9 months- naturally!
Contains organic wetting agent to improve water penetration throughout the mix
OMRI (Organic Material Review Institute) listed for the use and production of organic food & fiber.
Member tested and recommended by the National Home Gardening Club.
Product Description -
Premium, 100% organic potting mix formulated for growing flowers, vegetables and herbs in containers.

As for my seeds... I am going tohopefully be ordering my tomatoes, peppers and zucchini from:
www.heirloomseeds.com

I will post pictures when I get started. I am hoping to get the seeds planted and ready to go by the second week in April. I am lucky enough to have a south facing garage so I can get up in the morning, pull the pots out and let the seeds start their business. When I get home at night I can pull the pots back into the garage so they don't get too cold.

Will post pictures when this whole process starts!