Year Seven - 2016 - February

FEBRUARY

So I think this is going to be the best year yet. I have big plans, including adding sixteen new raised beds of various sizes, a number of fruit trees, shrubs and bushes and hopefully mulching it all in so there's no grass growing in between beds.

I've invested a good bit thus far and it's only February 10, but I have little doubt in the future the payoff will be massive. Year by year I'm learning to be a more self-sufficient gardener. Last year I saved bunching onion seed and the seed from several varieties of flowers. I have enough scallion seed to last for years and give to friends. I also ordered enough garlic seed in the fall to fill two 4' x 8' beds. I'll harvest one for us to use for the year, and one for seed to replant next fall. Last year I harvested 100 bulbs of garlic from one bed. I planted 3 lbs each of Duganski, Bogatyr, and Legacy garlic.  $127.87 total, purchase from Vesey's.

I ordered seeds a couple weeks ago, total of $357.18, for most my seeds plus 30 White Carolina Pineberries (a variety of white strawberries). Yes, I know, this is an entirely ridiculous amount. I did order a lot of it from several different companies instead of just 2 or 3 like I usually do, due to the fact that I'm hoping to become a certified organic grower in the next few years so I need to start buying organic seed whenever possible. I also spent $23.00 on Comfrey seeds. Comfrey is a medicinal herb that you can use as a green mulch. It has very deep roots and therefore a lot of nutrients and minerals which compost into your soil when used as mulch, plus the large leaves are excellent at blocking out weeds. I plan on planting it all around the perimeter of the yard, in several spots and I'll harvest it often for mulch and to add to the compost pile.

Also ordered was my seed potato from Eagle Creek Farms. I ordered 4 of their "Mixed Season Bag" which consists of 4 Sieglinde (Early), 4 Nicola (Mid), 4 Chieftain (Mid), and 4 Russian Blue (Late). Total cost was $56. This should fill the two 4' x 8' beds I have planned for potatoes.

I ordered some perennial fruit trees and shrubs this year from a very impressive place in Quebec, Green Barn Farm. Order included: 2 Taylor heartnut (like a walnut, but sweeter), 1 Black Everbearing Mulberry, 1 Mazza Cherry tree and 2 cherry shrubs (Romeo and Crimson Passion), 2 elderberry (Adams and Johns), 2 chum trees (Manor and Sapalta), 2 goji bushes and 2 Chippewa blueberry bushes. Grand total of $580.82.

I have one order left to complete from a place in northern New Brunswick called Mapple Farm. They sell sweet potato slips that come highly recommended and some other perennials and a few different seeds. I'm ordering horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes, and 36 sweet potato slips (Georgia Jet, Korean Purple, Carver) from them, a total of $122.49.

So the plan is to add sixteen additional raised beds of several sizes this year. Six 2' x 4' beds that are 20" deep, for some things I need to contain (Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish) and also for some extra herbs that are closer to the house/kitchen. Then three 4' x 4' beds strategically placed to make the garden more square, for aesthetic purposes. Finally, eight 4' x 8' beds, three of which will be 20" deep, the rest 10". This is a huge undertaking, but I'm hoping the smaller beds will go together very quickly and be easy to fill. The eight full size beds though, will be a lot of work. I think it will all be worth it since it's the addition of another 352' sq. of growing space.

Garden Plan 2016

Beginning of our perennial fruit and nut forest.

So there it is. That's the plan as of today, February 13, 2016. I have a few things planted from seed under my Jump Start lights. Leeks, red and yellow onions, shallots, and tomatoes.

UPDATE: It's now February 26 and I've planted most of my herbs (flat and curled parsley, sage, thyme, savory, marjoram, oregano). I love cooking with fresh herbs so much and I really made an effort to harvest and dry herbs all summer long so we can use them all winter. We still have some left from last harvest and they will definitely last until next harvest, so yay! Something else we don't have to buy all year, like the garlic, and something else we can eat knowing that no one ever touched it but us. I find a certain comfort in that. Peppers are all planted as well, no sign of germination as of yet, but it's been chilly so they're probably taking their time. Comfrey, peppers and artichokes have all been planted as well.