2017 Garden Planning

ByIris and Honey

It’s time to start garden planning for 2017.  Last year’s garden did not fare too well mainly due to the weather and my inexperience.  So far, this winter has been very mild, so maybe that means we’re in for a mild spring and summer, too.  One can hope anyway!  I decided to push back my planting dates this year a week later from last year just to ensure that the risk of frost is low.  I really want to direct sow as much as possible this year because starting seeds in containers and then transplanting them can be a lot of work, though they are more likely to germinate and grow better.2016 garden garden planning

What I’m planting:

From Seedsnow.com that I have leftover from last year:

  • Chamomile-I hope to make tea out of this
  • Chives-a tasty little garnish
  • Basil-this is a garden staple
  • Cucumber-the seeds I have grow great pickling cucumbers
  • Melon-I have watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe seeds, but I’m not sure which I will be planting yet
  • Carrots-these are so much better than store bought
  • Beets-I love beets

From Amish Land Seeds:

  • “Doorknob” sweet pepper-these are sweet red peppers that can be used in any pepper dish
  • Strawberry spinach-the leaves can be cooked like spinach and the plant also produces strawberry-like fruits
  • Amish paste tomato-this variety is sweet and juicy and from the Pennsylvania Amish
  • Goldmans’ Italian American tomato-this plant produces 1 lb tomatoes and makes great sauce

From miscellaneous sources:

  • Borage-the leaves can be used in drinks or cooked
  • Catnip and cat grass-the cats need a little something, too

My garden is small, with two 4’x4′ squares.  I also have three containers to use.  I am following a square foot gardening method as you can see in my garden planning drawing below.

Garden 1 garden planningWhat are you planting this year?