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It’s Official

January 8th, 2014

I guess when I pull out all my seeds and start going through them the 2014 garden season has officially begun. This is what my coffee table looks like at the moment. I’m being ruthless about what seeds are getting sprouted for chickens and which ones I’m going to actually start this year. No doubt my seed order will be minimal this year in hopes of finally whittling down my seed stash.
seed organization
I’m also going to be simplifying what I plant a little this year. There are loads of garden chores that need done, and I’d rather spend my time preparing new planting areas for future gardens than tending to a huge variety of vegetables. That’s my main goal for this garden year.

How do your goals for this garden year differ from the last?

13 Comments to “It’s Official”
  1. Adelina Anderson on January 8, 2014 at 7:32 am

    Every year our goal is the same – cross our fingers and hope we get veggies. We will plant tomatoes, but everything else is up in the air.

    Reply to Adelina Anderson's comment

    • Kay on January 8, 2014 at 11:02 am

      I hear ya! LOL

      Reply to Kay's comment

  2. Robin on January 8, 2014 at 8:29 am

    I’ll be growing in only one high tunnel this year. I’ve offered the use of the other to a young couple who’s getting married, moving to their own place and learning the ins and outs of homesteading. I won’t be growing as many varieties this year but probably the same amount of food overall.

    I hadn’t thought of sprouting leftover seeds for the chickens. Good idea!

    Reply to Robin's comment

  3. Michele on January 8, 2014 at 9:37 am

    My goal is to try and not lose heart in August when the pests and blight have done their worst. I also want to concentrate my efforts on leafy greens. I kept wondering which large, glorious heirloom tomato I would try to break my heart, and realized I don’t have to – I can stick to pastes and cherries which, being quicker and more prolific, stand up better to the assaults of pests and blight. That might seem obvious, but it was liberating for me.

    Reply to Michele's comment

  4. Nebraska Dave on January 8, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Susy, it could be the best of years or the worst of years. It all depends on how the EPA lead report comes back. It might turn out to be a year of growing fences and developing the spring for irrigation purposes. One never knows what lurks beneath the soil level. Anyway, I’m trying to stay positive until I hear other wise.

    Have a great seed sorting day.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

  5. Melissa on January 8, 2014 at 9:50 am

    My table has looked the same recently! I really like your metal tins, should get me some of those! I think I’m finally ready to place my first two seed orders for the year. It’s a big seed order year for me, my 5th year in this garden and it’s time to replace a lot of old seed. But that means trying a lot of new varieties!

    Reply to Melissa's comment

  6. Kitty Baughman on January 8, 2014 at 11:04 am

    With the present drought problem in California, I will only plant a few tomatoes and primarily amend the soil. I’ll just support local farmers. Hopefully rain will come.

    Reply to Kitty Baughman's comment

  7. KimH on January 8, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I pulled out my seeds yesterday too.. I have a lot of paring down I need to do.. I think this year I’ll plan my garden better.. Last year I just kind of threw everything in there… and nothing other than tomatillos grew.. Of course, my 2 gardens were under water for a good long time.. so Im not surprised…
    Im going to get my son to come shovel beds for me this year.. I used to do it myself but I dont think Im physically able at the moment.. at least not all of them..

    I also plan to only grow a few tomato varieties this year instead of 10 or 15.. I just have the most difficult time sticking to a few. ;)

    Reply to KimH's comment

  8. DebbieB on January 8, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    This year I am armed with the knowledge of what the major pests in my garden look like! I had a terrible time with squash vine borers that killed all my squash and zucchini. Now that I know what to look for, and how to fight them, I’m hoping for a harvest.

    We’ll plant less corn (NONE if I can help it) – my husband loves fresh corn, so he insisted on having half the garden filled with corn. None of it did well, we got a few ears that were tough and chewy, and he only ate them because he’s stubborn. :)

    Reply to DebbieB's comment

  9. Lorna on January 8, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Today is the day I sort my seeds. Last year was my first year in a new zone, so I learned a lot about when things should (and shouldn’t!) be started. Hopefully this year things will go a little more smoothly and the succession planting will work out better. I’m hoping to expand the veggie garden by about 200sf and put in a raspberry patch. A hoop/high-tunnel for season extension in the fall is also on the to-do list for later this summer. Strawberries, rhubarb, blueberries, asparagus and elderberries are on my wish list, but we have a lot do do to prepare for bees and chickens! I’m curious, do you have a post or a resource I could read to plan an edible chicken yard? I would like them to feed themselves a bit this summer :)
    I appreciate getting your posts on when things are happening in your garden–I think I’m just a little bit ahead of your schedule here in MA, which means your ‘reminders’ keep me on task and not too far behind!

    Reply to Lorna's comment

  10. Melanie in Ca on January 8, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    To be able to actually have one! Last year’s hip replacement totally derailed garden activities. I, too, have seed catalogs spread all over the table with my grid paper and plot plan. Since we’re having a drought I’m looking for heat tolerant and water-wise versions of everything.

    Reply to Melanie in Ca's comment

  11. Wendy on January 8, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    My goal is much like last year’s–keep building on what works and quit beating my head against the wall about things that don’t. I’m also trying to decide if we’re going to sign up for our CSA again or make a go of it on our own without that comfort to fall back on. I’m also going to try and get hubby to build me one mobile hoop house a la Coleman/Damrosch so that we can hopefully (*fingers crossed*) grow the tomatoes and cukes I crave so much despite our soggy climate.

    I’m also going to try ordering from just one catalog (High Mowing) this year. I sorted through my seeds last week–like the idea of sprouting old ones for the chickens!

    Reply to Wendy's comment

  12. Donna on January 12, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    My goal this year is to grow some things I “can’t” grow here..zone 5…! Nothing ventured…
    I am starting Jicimas in the house to get a jump start, as well as some oddball things. I love veggies and always try new things. Going to grow Mayan Spinach, called Chaya..supposed to be 2-3 times as nutritious as regular spinach..can’t wait to taste! It won’t overwinter here, but starts very easily from cuttings..so if it tastes good it will become a staple!

    Reply to Donna's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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