Farm Garden Planning for Next Spring!

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I thought maybe we could start talking about next year's gardens, since Annie brought the subject up on Main.

I've already made a large seed order from Fedco -- it should ship out this coming week. Two-thirds of the seeds (or more) are to go in storage for future years, just in case, since all the seeds I have stored right now are several years old. (I'll still plant some of the old seeds, once I do germination tests on them.)

Kathleen

 

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I've just skimmed a new book -- The Intelligent Gardener by Steve Solomon. It's about making your garden soil able to grow highly nutritious vegetables (he thinks, and I've thought for a long time, that a lot of the sickness in this country comes from eating a less-than-nutritious diet; most commercial farmland that grows the food that ends up in the store is getting pretty worn out, so the food grown on it isn't anywhere near as nutritious as it should be). As soon as the ground thaws so I can dig, I'm going to get some soil samples, and see what our rocky volcanic soil is missing.

Kathleen

 

[kyrsyan]

I'm working this coming year off of seeds I bought last year. With the exception that there are one or two harder-to-find seeds that I'm going to order. Since none of what I ordered is GMO or hybrid I should be able to save seed. I bought some unusual pumpkin and squash seeds two years ago and was very much impressed with the difference. They grew faster and stronger. I only gave them the space I normally give those items and they quickly overran it and tried to climb my trees. And the product tasted pretty good as well. So I'm really focusing more on older breeds unless there is a distinct weakness in the breed. I'm really considering joining seedsavers this year.

Most of my new orders this year are for more permanent food/medicinal plantings. I'm going to put a full bed of chamomile in at the base of my blueberries. I have regular blueberries as a "hedge" surrounding the front porch. I'm still debating on whether I'm going to put in a trellis for the wild jasmine at the back side of the blueberries or resort to plant killer to kill it off completely. It's roots are deep under the porch so that's really the only choices I have.

I have pink lemonade blueberries to put in as hedges down one side of the house. There are few miniature raspberries to go somewhere. And I just ordered some elderberries that will go along the top edge of the driveway in a spot that isn't good for raised beds. They will do fine and won't shade out anything. Oh, and I want to get saffron crocus in somewhere, just not sure where yet. I'm thinking about large planters for now and then interspersed with the chamomile when there is enough. If I can, I want to get tumeric, regular ginger, and wild ginger going down the deeply shaded side of the house. And pull out the Nandina that a prior owner planted there.

I've got two cherry trees that are going to have to come out. They've been in for 5 years and only fruited for one year. I'll probably put nectarines/apricots in. And I've got two peaches that had canker on the trunk last year. If it doesn't heal up this year I'll have to pull and replace them. :-( They've been in for three years and finally fruited last year.

I want to try some unusual gourd variants again but those have proven to be really challenging. Hard to sprout and hard to keep alive. So that experiment way wait another year before I restart it.

And that doesn't include all the general yard improvement projects. Or the herb bed that I have to relocate because the old spot didn't work.

 

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Have you tasted the fruit of the pink lemonade blueberries? I've seen those in the catalogs and wondered if they were worth trying.

I've got a lot of soil-improving to do, and my biggest priority is making sure we have a good uninterrupted flow of water to the garden (it's quite a bit higher than the well, so water pressure isn't what it should be). I'm debating whether I should try again on planting a few fruit trees -- I spent quite a bit of money on trees the first two years we lived here, and they have ALL died. Partly water issues, partly rabbits, possibly partly disease, and I'm sure partly the poor soil.

Kathleen

 

[summerthyme]

Fortunately, given our unexpected "no income" season again due to hubby breaking his back in the car wreck, the only thing I need to buy for my Spring gardens are onion plants (www.dixondaleonions.com THE best quality onion plants at really good prices IF you can buy a case. I get together with neighbors, and coordinate the orders and we all get "case prices", whether it's the grandmother who only wants 2 bunches, or me getting a case and a half)

I've got plenty of sorted seed potatoes (when we sort/clean our potatoes, we pick all the "2 ounce"-approximately- tubers out and save them for seed. Smaller ones yet get put in separate baskets and used for animal feed, along with damaged culls) for seed. Before Thanksgiving, I spent a couple afternoons germination testing a LOT of seed... was surprised by a few things (beets from 2006 at 100% germination... but yellow beans from 2012 that were dead?) but in general, found that most of my ridiculously large seed collection is still good.

I did purchase a few things to restock this fall- hulless seeded pumpkins, some large jack-o-lantern pumpkins (our pumpkin customers were disappointed that we didn't have any 40-50# pumpkins this year). I have a page from a seed catalog sitting on my desk, teasing me... Territorial seed has a new variety of Indian corn called "Glass Gem" corn, and it's GORGEOUS!

So now I've got two things on my 'wish list', in case I ever can afford it- that corn, and the new "all blue" chickens McMurray hatchery is selling- they produce BLUE eggs!

Kathleen- I agree that a soil test(s) are one of the best investments you can make in your gardening future. So often, people complain about "disease" and other plant issues and it turns out it's a simple nutrient deficiency. pH is so vital... most plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral, but then you've got blueberries which need very acid soils. And beans HATE wood ashes... if you must increase your pH using wood ashes, make sure to grow your beans somewhere else for at least a year or two.

I need to figure out our gardening needs better, now that it's just the two of us. We need more cabbage- we're down to a couple heads in the root cellar already, and we could have used a dozen more. I've got a bunch of canned cole slaw from last year, though, so we'll be fine. But I'll grow at least a dozen more next year.

I do really need to replace a sour cherry tree that- believe it or not- the damned English Sparrows killed the winter before last! 7 year old tree, thriving and producing pounds of cherries every summer, the damned birds ate the few leftover fruit, then they started on the leaves, and buds... and the tree died! I also really want to plant a couple Concord grape vines for juice, but I'll just have to see what the budget will stand.

Summerthyme

 

[Deb Mc]

I've just skimmed a new book -- The Intelligent Gardener by Steve Solomon. It's about making your garden soil able to grow highly nutritious vegetables (he thinks, and I've thought for a long time, that a lot of the sickness in this country comes from eating a less-than-nutritious diet; most commercial farmland that grows the food that ends up in the store is getting pretty worn out, so the food grown on it isn't anywhere near as nutritious as it should be). As soon as the ground thaws so I can dig, I'm going to get some soil samples, and see what our rocky volcanic soil is missing.

Kathleen

I'm reading that book too - it's fascinating! There's another couple of books out that also sound like they'd be a good read: "Teaming with Nutrients" and "Teaming with Microbes". They have a lot of info on the microflora and microfauna (???) in the soil. I had no idea it was that complex!

There's one last book out there that I just picked up: Biodynamic Garden. I don't know if I believe the Biodynamic theory, but some of their instructions sound like they might be helpful (i.e. The Manure Horn). The horn might help retain beneficial microbes and nutrients like the broken pottery does in Terra Preta and Terra Mulata.

 

[kyrsyan]

I haven't tasted the pink lemonade blueberries yet. They were part of a "berries" multipack that I got 2 years ago. Multiple multipacks. I put them in pots because I won't waste plants. But I didn't really have a home for them until the freezes killed off the golden eunonymous growing down one side of the house. Now they are going in that spot.

I got trees locally so that I could see their condition. I don't have any luck with bare roots. More expensive - maybe. But I've seen bareroot trees that are pretty expensive. Then I dug really, really big holes and filled with amendments, compost, leaves etc. And baby them for the first year. It helps that most of them are close to the drainage ditch for the yard.

Summerthyme, you might try joining GardenWeb and/or Davesgarden. Both have seed exchange forums. And in the spring there are typically quite a few folks who will off common seeds for the cost of a SASE and maybe a few stamps. That got me through some really rough times. And you can always save some seed, or find some from wild plantings, to exchange.

 

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Summerthyme, in the past we've gotten a lot of starts of plants from friends. You might post what you are looking for on Craigslist, and offer trades of something you have a surplus of.

Kathleen

 

[Willow]

ST, thanks for the canned cole slaw idea. I had no idea it could be canned. I am really excited. I love growing cabbage but then can't use it fast enough. I don't have a great place for long term storage either. Canning slaw is the perfect solution!

Willow

 

[summerthyme]

You're welcome! This is the recipe I use. We either eat it straight from the jar, or I dump it in a strainer, rinse it in really cold water (keeps it crisp) and then dress it with a creamy coleslaw dressing.

Ingredients
1 medium head of cabbage
1 large carrot
1 medium green bell pepper
1 small onions, vidalia, peeled
2 Tbsp canning salt, kosher salt

SYRUP

1 c apple cider vinegar
2 c white ganulated sugar
1/4 c water
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp mustard seed

Directions Step-By-Step
1
In a non reactive pan mix vinegar, sugar, water, and spices.Bring to boil and boil for 1 minute and mix to dissolve sugar, Let mixture cool.
2
Shred cabbage I used my slicing blade on my food processor. Shred onion, carrot and bell pepper I used my shredder blade on my food processor.
Put veggie mixture in a large bowl and sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons of canning salt and let it set for 1 hour. Then rinse and drain at least twice to get out the excess water.
3
Add rinsed and drained cabbage mixture to cooled syrup and toss, making sure you coat all of the cabbage. I always make 2 batches of syrup/brine so I know I will have enough to cover my cabbage.
4
Sterilize jars and keep hot, after mine is sterilized I put them in my oven at 200 degree to keep them hot, then take them out in batches of 6.

Pack cabbage mixture in hot jars, tight but NOT like a brick. Then dip and pour syrup over cabbage mixture, leaving 1/2 inch head space.

Wipe jar rim with vinegar/water paper towel.Screw bands finger tight.

Place in Boiling water Bath where water is warm but not too hot since your brine/syrup is not hot it is just room temperature. After water comes to a boil in canner with cole slaw jars, process 15 minutes and turn off heat, take canner lid off and let cole slaw jars sit in canner 10 minutes before taking out of the canner. Place on towel on counter or table out of draft until the jars have sealed. After 24 hours remove rings and wash jars in mild luke warm sink of water and rinse and dry dropping jar rings in the washing water wash, rinse and dry rings for next time. Store jars without the rings if lid pops off then discard contents.
5
When ready to eat (after about a week if you can wait that long) you can eat it like it is with the brine or you can drain it and add Mayonnaise. Either way it is wonderful. I like to get it cold and add mayo if you start with fresh crunchy cabbage it stays very crunchy!!

Summerthyme

 

[ioujc]

I can hardly wait! I can hardly wait! I can hardly wait! Every year about this time I get like this......and it's not time yet, BUT I can hardly wait!
I have the majority of my seeds already, bought last weekend, as soon as they were out on the shelves. The only thing I am missing that I really want is hull-less seed pumpkins.....most of the garden catalogs are out of the seeds . I have canned pumpkins this year, and found that I absolutely LOVE roasted pumpkin seed. It would however, be much nicer to be able to just gobble up the seeds without the tongue twisting required to get the seeds out of the shell. I plan on planting green beans, three different kinds, bush,(Blue Lake) pole kentucky Wonder) and Romano. As well as preparing a real herb garden this year! I have yarrow, wormwood, angelica, sage, anise, borage, cat-mint, horehound, lemon balm, hyssop, and of course all the culinary herbs I normally grow. This will be a first for all of the medicinal herbs, except the yarrow. I had a Heal-all plant in my old garden, but it did not make the attempted transplant.
My staples include of course, green beans. lettuce, radishes, cukes, tomatoes, (new varieties) peppers, (but different kinds this year) eggplants, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and a new one>>>casabas. Of course, also cauliflower, broccoli, Yukon Gold potatoes, and I have a new deep bed which I want to try carrots in. I have never been able to grow carrots, but this year I hope to succeed! Oh, and I have celery already started from veggie ends....last year I planted two of these and they did great! Also planting a bed of amaranth and later. quinoa.
Lots of new beds this year>>>> a mix of dirt, sand, ancient sawdust and using goat and chicken poop which has been sitting for a year (so as to not burn things). I am SOOOO excited!! I am trying not to plant seeds too early, as they don't go out as transplants until mid-March for cool weather crops, and the end of April for warm weather plants. But it is SO hard to wait!
Anybody else have ITCHY green fingers?

 

[summerthyme]

ioujc... you take the seeds out of the shell when you eat pumpkin seeds? Wow!

Anyway... look for either Lady Godiva or Kakai pumpkins. They are hulless seeds, and if you like the regular ones, you'll go absolutely nuts for the hulless ones. We usually roast 2-3 gallons of them a year.

The other possibility is Baby Bear pumpkins. They're an OP variety (so is Kakai- it's Russian, I believe) which produce 10-12 pie pumpkin type/size fruit per plant. The seeds are SEMI-hulless... you won't be able to chew the "seed" (kernel) out of the shell, but you won't want to.

If you want to can pumpkin for pie as well as use the seeds, the Baby Bear variety is the way to go.

Summerthyme

 

[ioujc]

Hey Summerthyme!
I knew about the Lady Godiva and Kakai pumpkins, but I have never heard of Baby Bear!
The seed catalogues I have been looking at are out of both Lady Godiva and Kakai pumpkins. I guess I will have to go with Baby Bear. Another new experience!
Thanks for the info.
Doesn't everyone eat the seed and not the shell??

 

[kyrsyan]

If you brine the pumpkin seeds before baking them, the shells become very brittle and easy to eat.

 

[summerthyme]

I don't brine them (I tried it and it made them too salty) but I roast them with a bit of olive oil (tossed to coat) and then sprinkle them with seasoned salt. And yes, we eat the whole seed. However (and this is how pumpkin seeds work as "wormer" in people and animals) even if you chew them well, they tend to stay fairly "whole" in the gut, and if you overdid your indulgence, let's just say, you'll know it as they leave your body! No harm, no foul, UNLESS you have diverticulosis... WAY too much insoluable fiber for sufferers to safely eat.

Oh, and if you roast hulless seeds, be aware that some of the will POP, like popcorn, and end up out of the pan...

Summerthyme

 

[kyrsyan]

I don't brine them (I tried it and it made them too salty) but I roast them with a bit of olive oil (tossed to coat) and then sprinkle them with seasoned salt. And yes, we eat the whole seed. However (and this is how pumpkin seeds work as "wormer" in people and animals) even if you chew them well, they tend to stay fairly "whole" in the gut, and if you overdid your indulgence, let's just say, you'll know it as they leave your body! No harm, no foul, UNLESS you have diverticulosis... WAY too much insoluable fiber for sufferers to safely eat.

Oh, and if you roast hulless seeds, be aware that some of the will POP, like popcorn, and end up out of the pan...

Summerthyme

My Munchkin is a salt addict. And normally I keep a really close eye on how much he gets. But pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are two areas where I just let it go. Although I do have to hide the jars or there won't be any left period.

 

[Willow]

ST...do you know approximately how many pints you get from the recipe?

I think I'm going to try it with store bought cabbage. Sounds so good!

Thanks for the recipe!

Willow

 

[marsh]

And I just ordered some elderberries that will go along the top edge of the driveway in a spot that isn't good for raised beds.

Where did you get your elderberries? I can't find them here (CA)

 

[kyrsyan]

I got them from Botany shop on ebay. Small cubes but truly healthy starts. All in all, it cost me $31 for 8 which is infinitely better than the next best price I found. There are 6 of the american elderberries and 2 of an american/european hybrid. I keep resisting ordering more (because that is a fabulous price) because I really don't have the room for more than that. And I want room for some pure european (sambucus nigra) plants.
But if you want full plants, ForestFarm.com is on your side of the country. They have a large variety. I want to order the european black elderberries but right now it will run me $30/plant with shipping included. That's a bit steep at the moment. I might do it in the next year or so though. And then start my own rootlings to get more. But I need the greenhouse back up and running before I spend money like that.

 

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Where did you get your elderberries? I can't find them here (CA)

Marsh, I'm not sure about where you are now, but here in Klamath County almost every wet spot and a lot of the road-sides have wild elderberries -- I've thought about looking for baby plants to dig up and bring home. They would be better adapted to our climate than anything we can buy.

Kathleen

 

[summerthyme]

Marsh, I'm not sure about where you are now, but here in Klamath County almost every wet spot and a lot of the road-sides have wild elderberries -- I've thought about looking for baby plants to dig up and bring home. They would be better adapted to our climate than anything we can buy.

Kathleen

Yes, and they spread by runners putting up shoots, so finding "baby plants" is REALLY easy. Just look at the base of any existing mature plants, and there will be plenty.

We have to keep cutting ours off/digging them out, or they'll spread into the lawn.

Summerthyme

 

[Freeholder]

Yes, and they spread by runners putting up shoots, so finding "baby plants" is REALLY easy. Just look at the base of any existing mature plants, and there will be plenty.

We have to keep cutting ours off/digging them out, or they'll spread into the lawn.

Summerthyme

That's good to know! Thanks!

Kathleen

 

[marsh]

Thanks Kathleenand Summerthyme, but I don't live up there any more. I live in Stockton, CA.

kyrsyan, thanks. I guess I was a bit late for Forest Farm. All they had were full grown at $59. I will try EBAY.

 

[kyrsyan]

Thanks Kathleenand Summerthyme, but I don't live up there any more. I live in Stockton, CA.

kyrsyan, thanks. I guess I was a bit late for Forest Farm. All they had were full grown at $59. I will try EBAY.

Botany Shop on ebay was where I got my batch. And they are thriving. Forest Farm has them year round so if that's the ones you want, just wait a bit and they'll have the smaller ones again. I really want european black elderberries but I'll probably pick them up from the provider on the east coast. They're in Maine so while it will be a little less expensive for shipping, it will still be high. I don't know why it's so hard to find retailers for them given how popular elderberries have become for flu and stuff. And from what I can find, they really aren't hard to grow at all.

 

[marsh]

I got the set from Botany, Thanks!