Spring is “almost” here! I say almost because well, I do live in Iowa and while it is mid-late March…we could still get snow into April or May, so one has to be careful about putting the cart before the horse!But, none the less, the warmish weather we had last week and the week before got us itching and we’ve started a few seeds in the house.
This year, I got to do the vegetable garden planning and seed ordering and I enjoyed every minute of it. Throughout the past year, I’ve been working on to clean “clean” or “whole” which means a whole lot more fresh fruits and veggies, so I’m always looking for ways to save money and time. Now, that’s we’ve had a garden for a couple years, I felt that I was ready to try a few new things. Traditionally we have potatoes, green beans, tomatoes (cherry), onions, and cucumbers in our garden. This year, we’re expanding…well, not the garden sadly (even though I gave it a valiant effort and was denied), but in our varieties and I was able to find everything I wanted in the Jung Seed Catalog!
This year I’ve selected :
- My traditional Contender green beans (my favorite variety…it’s what I grew up eating and you’ll never convince me otherwise). We traditionally plant around 3 decent size rows. I eat them fresh and freeze them for the winter to come.
- Carrots – Hybrid Fire Wedge, Caracas Baby’s, and a free Trial Packet of Dragon Carrot’s
- Tomatoes – Sweet Aperifi Cherry Tomatoes, Hybrid Jelly Beans, and Sweet Seedless Hybrid
- Potatoes – Gold Rush Potatoes
- Cantaloupe – Ambrosia Hybrid
- Watermelon – Solitaire Hybrid
- Broccoli – Belstar Hybrid
- Cucumbers – Pickling, & Little Leaf Pickling
- Onions – White Onions
- Peppers – Fooled You Jalapeno Hybrid
- Lettuce – Calmar Head lettuce
While I love my vegetable garden, I LOVE my flowers just as much if not more! I have flowers almost everywhere and T doesn’t understand my obsession, but I don’t really care. I have wonderful window boxes on the front of our house and a raised bed near our driveway. I also have a corner bed where I have lilies and roses (and I’m hoping to expand that this year..I already ordered Tiny Diamond Asiatic Lillie’s). When we purchased our home, the yard was overtaken with wild gardens and while we got rid of most of them (in lieu of yard for our dog and kids to play in), we kept one “wild” bed on the South side of our house and I’m adding to it this year: Lupines that i hand picked and
some free seed that I was sent: Asters & Cosmos. I also ordered Fireworks Fountain Grass. We’ve got some small plants up in the house and I can’t wait till it gets warm enough (and stays warm enough) to get outside and start working in the dirt!
What are you planting in your garden this year??
I’ve never started my own seeds. I always buy my plants at the FFA greenhouse and then the rest at a local nursery. Props to you for starting your own seeds and for expanding the varieties in your garden. This year my plan is tomatoes (usually 3-4 varieties), peppers (usually 3-4 varieties), onions, cucumbers and zucchini. But I always leave room for inspiration while shopping 😉
I have to admit that I have always bought plants until marrying T…that’s his thing..he loves to grow the seeds! I’ll be anxious to see the results of your garden!
Sounds like you have quite the green thumb! We chose not to have a garden last year for the first time in a decade and I missed it so much! I did a lot of container gardening up on the deck but just not the same. There’s nothing like being able to go out in the back yard and pick something that you’ve planted and watched grow. Can’t wait to start digging in the dirt and making things pretty!
Now, if only I was this organized- you have inspired me to get thinking Spring planting!
Awesome! We have to be organized so we have a plan before T gets busy in the field..otherwise things wouldn’t get planted until July!
Now, if only I was this organized- you have inspired me to get thinking Spring planting!
You must have quite the green thumb! Last year was the first year in a decade we didn’t plan a garden and I missed it! I still did container gardening up in the deck but it’s just not the same. I can’t wait to get out and start digging in the dirt and making everything beautiful again!
Part of my green thumb is my hubby..I won’t lie! I can’t wait until we can actually get in the garden!
I wish I had more time/energy to venture into gardening. You make it look like a lot of fun and show the beauty of it. 🙂 I remember only the weeding part growing up 😉
Oh, the wedding is a big part of it, but the older I get the more I enjoy the entire process! Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like a nice mix of yummy stuff. Would love you to share pictures as the season goes on…I struggle with doing my own seeds…I think not enough light and they are so spindly. Looking forward to watching things grow…
Thanks Mary! I definitely will be keeping everyone updated as to how the year goes! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh man I am so behind…..I need to get planning!!! Cant wait to see how your garden turns out!
You have a few other things to plan for the spring, so it’s completely understandable why you feel behind!! 😉 Your garden will be fabulous either way!!