Midway Point Garden Update: A True Gardener

I think it's safe to say, August is about the half way point in my first real year of gardening.



And I've learned ALOT this year! For once, I could do more than just plan and actually construct, plant, seed, and get my hands dirty. I could harvest food for my table and imagine doing it on a more effective and productive scale in future years (think: canning). And this year, I was able to envision myself as a true gardener. What a cool year it has turned out to be so far.

Looking back through my notebook of things I've learned, there are a few really big pointers I would give future Katie for next year. (A couple of the reasons I started this blog include a tracking system for me to look back at what Chris + I have accomplished, and share my winners/losers, ups/downs, and good/bad when it comes to my garden and advice. I'm glad I can finally let give a little advice!)

*First, purchase a small calendar that has a weekly format a few months before the end of the year. Write all of the seed starting times, and last seed starting date for garden staples such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, and corn. Make notes about garden on specific dates, such as "first tomato!" or "harvested 1st squash." A nice leather one will keep through the years.

*In conjunction with the calendar, I keep a small notebook (when it was too late to buy a small calendar, this was my only choice). I have sections for diary (keeping tabs on the garden and its momentous occasions), "BIG Ideas", plants to try next year, and notes/advice on plants grown this year.

*Wasps and yellow jackets love tomatillos, and I've never been able to get them to set a single fruit. Don't waste your time, energy, garden space, or natural resources planting them.

*Tomatoes can produce earlier in the season if started indoors before the Last Frost Date (LFD) of March 23rd. Same with peppers, squash, and other veggies. July 4th is my goal in 2008.

*To help prevent blossom end rot, amend finely crushed eggshells into the planting holes of tomatoes, squash, and pumpkins. "I will need a mortar and pestle for this," I keep telling Chris.

*Plant tomatoes ONE plant deep, leaving room for companion plantings such as basil and marigolds all around. It's too hard to harvest a messy tangle of tomato plants planted two deep.

*Cage tomatoes properly and early. VERY important!

*Prune suckers off tomato plants to help deter fungal diseases.

*Remain vigilant at any sign of insect damage. Pluck caterpillars and other critters straight from their perch and drop into soapy water. Or toss 'em over the fence to the birds in the bushes.

*Lay soaker hose at rootzone BEFORE plants get large. They work great at watering plants just where they need it and don't waste water through as much evaporation.

*DON'T use shredded redwood as mulch for the raised beds. It encourages mushrooms when it decomposes and is difficult to plant around later. (Are these good or bad? Hmmm. Not sure on this one).

*DO use compost as mulch. Home grown compost! (Still waiting on my first batch started in March...Chris wouldn't stop adding things!)

*Also, get a second compost bin.

*Soybeans can be planted closer together than 18" as recommended by seed packet.

*Pinch back basil to encourage bushy growth.

*Radishes didn't do too well in my garden, but it seems any 3rd grader can grow them just fine. Hmmm...

*Plant broccoli at recommended planting time. March isn't it.

*Marigolds are a caterpillar's favorite food, making them easy to spot when hunting at night. But marigolds love hot weather and bloom profusely in late summer!

*Watermelon grows like mad. 2 tiny plants are now seriously overwhelming 3/4 of the raised beds! Plant in area that will allow the spread next year...

*Practice succession planting of green onions and cilantro for continued use in the kitchen throught summer. Basil too.

*Plant regular Italian basil next year. Other kinds weren't as good as I'd hoped.

*Get new raised beds started earlier than March. This fall perhaps?

I'm the kind of person who makes list. I'm a lister. I LOVE lists and could make them all day. I could make a what to buy for next year list....or a what to do in your garden when list.... but those are blog entry fodder!

This has truly been an awesome year as an official gardener. Looking forward to the next, and the next, and the next....