Back on the Wagon

So, the end of my season last year...I wished I'd planned more for succession. Most of what we put into the raised bed out back got some weird white rust and died...so it was just big sunflowers and the herbs...nothing really worth taking photos of, although I don't think I documented the sunflowers that well. I think there will be some volunteers there this year. The Moonflower never bloomed. The broccoli never did anything...but we had tasty beets, tomatoes, and carrots.

Then in November the house burned down. I had to leave my compost (although I'd like to go back and get it) and my rain barrel. We have a new place, and I think with some changes I can have a pretty spectacular garden again this year.

I'm really excited for the challenge, some bigger trellis projects (another melon and some cukes), and a bunch of new veggies to taste.

I just bought a ton of seeds...and along with others I saved from seed from last year, I have a garden plan!


Going to give moonflower a second chance--start them inside and put them in better sun.

Tom Thumb Peas - excitingly not viney.

Ladybird Poppies - one of few flowers I'll put in. I love the look of poppies.


Nigra Hollyhock. The black Nasturtiums came up red-brown, apparently I had the soil wrong. Let's see what these babies do.


Empress of India Nasturtium


Chioggia Beet - in addition to seeds left from last year's packet of beets.


Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts - I am developing a taste for these, and I like things better that I've grown.


Dragon Carrots - adventure! In carrot form!


Rosa Bianca eggplant - a petite and interesting fruit.


Jenny Lind melons - these come from Philadelphia (me too!). After small successes with watermelon, I'm hoping these go well too.


Ailsa Craig Onion


Rainbow Chard. I'm liking colorful food. I also want to grow more greens.


Amish Paste Tomatoes (which I'm hoping to grow upside down)


Monnopa Spinach is very low in acid and so you absorb the nutrients better.


German Butterball potatoes. These are going to be grown in a bag.


Mexican Sour Gherkins claim to be good on trellisses, we'll see.


I saved Grandpa Ott from seed last year. I'm not sure what they'll come up like, but that's part of the adventure.


Romanesco broccoli didn't do anything last year, sadly, just leaves and eventually flowers, but no fruit. I'm going to try again.


These were healthy and the seeds were plentiful - starfire signet marigolds.


Danvers carrots. Tasty and normal.

I also have a clematis tuber and Iris and Lily bulbs from last year. They're in their pots in the garage. When the snow clears in March, I'll pull those out. I want to find garlic locally too, apparently I should have ordered it by November and I was too busy to remember that.

I'm also getting this greenhouse thing. I'm using it indoors until the weather gets nicer and then I can put it out to start the hardening off process. Although, having two would probably be helpful since some stuff should stay in longer than others. I registered for a pop-up greenhouse and a coldframe, but I don't know if I'll get either (at all or in time).

I also really want a lime tree...