Sunday, October 26, 2008

It’s never too early to plan next year’s garden


Our squares are not even properly tucked in for winter and I am already thinking about next year’s garden.

I want to do more carrots. Carrots are easy and they taste completely different out of the garden. We never had enough at once to really enjoy them as a dish so I think several more squares will get carrots next year.

I want to try beets again as our attempt at beets got smothered by the summer squashes and tomatillo. As much as I love square foot gardening I think some things take up too much room. We have some buckets already to go for the zucchini, crookneck and tomatillo. We can move them around to allow them the space they need, and it they get to grow in Mel’s Mix. And I swear to prune and thin the tomatillo vigorously. We had pounds and pounds of marble size tomatillos, and the poor lady was still making flowers when we decided she was done.

We are also going to try growing potatoes in straw. I will let you know how that goes. Our corn was too much fun so Brian will get his box again. However next year we will properly support them as well as space out the planting. When you plant all at once, they are ripe all at once.
I think we will skip radishes next year. They are fun to grow because they are ready so fast, but we don’t really eat them.

We had fun with the Anaheim’s once we learned to properly roast them to remove the skin. And please learn from my mistake, capsaicin has cumulative effects that you might not expect. Even if the peppers are not hot, if you have more than a couple, use gloves.

I think we are giving up on cilantro. Not that we don’t love cilantro, we just can’t seem to grow it. Please let me know if you have the secret. I am not so sure about broccoli either.

I will defiantly do pickling cuc’s again. However not so many unless I decide they are the ‘neighbor’ gift for Christmas 09’ Although, with all those cuc’s and a husband who will not eat them in salad or plain, I did find a recipe for a cucumber lime aid that was yummy! Here it is:
Auga Fresca de Pepino
3 quarts water
3 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
1/2 C freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 C sugar
Pour 1/2 C of the water and 1 cup of the cucumbers in blender, Blend until cucumbers are pureed then add more cucumbers and water until all cucumbers are pureed.
Using a fine mesh sieve, strain cucumbers into a pitcher to remove seeds and pulp. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Chill before serving over crushed ice. Garnish with a slice of lime.

6 comments:

Holly said...

I just hope we have a house before next Spring/Summer! Good luck on the garden. ;)

Amy and Mike said...

It seems like you are learning a lot about this gardening process. I'm glad that you had such good success last year and it sounds like this year will be even better. Good Luck

Monica said...

When I have a garden, I'm coming to you. You are learning so much. I guess it's all trial and erre. How fun.

Mandos said...

I'm jeolous of your garden. And I know I will be next year. :( I suck at it. Hopefully next year I can get one plant to live!

Mom in Orem said...

I have never even heard of some of those vegetables. Grandma would be so proud of you! She loved to garden.

I understand that most gardeners start early in the planning, so I don't think you are so far off.

Marnie said...

I wish I was so on the ball. I am excited for next years garden also, but have not even had time to think about it. I know Kory wants to expand so we will see.