We've Got Plots!!!

This afternoon I received the call from the women in charge of the Community Gardens. We have two plots!! Yeah!! They weren't our first or second choice.....but, I am very pleased! These two plots are side by side making our gardening space 40' wide by 30' deep.

This is not a very good picture of the plots. There is a structure and a good rain barrel set-up in place. The plastic on the roof has holes in it...so, it will have to be replaced. When we looked at these plots we weren't sure if they were in use last year since they aren't as overgrown as some of the others. Therefore, it won't be as hard to get them cleaned up. There is some good fencing in place and I think that there is an very nice iron gate to the right of the structure.

Of course, we are supposed to get a big snow storm tonight!!! So......who knows when I will be able to get over there and get some better pictures and start making some plans!

Planning the Gardens for 2011...phase 1

I have been spending a great deal of time this past week or so working on garden plans for this year. Most of the time has been spent on seed ordering, seed organization and researching some varieties of veggies and fruits. I am pleased to say, that I think that I have this part pretty much worked out. All of my seeds and most plants have been ordered. I still have to order the raspberries, strawberries and asparagus plants though. I even found a local source for artichoke plants! This was a big relief since I really don't think I will have the time to try to grow them from seed this year.

"The Italian" and I have been working on the excel worksheet where I try to keep track of everything for the garden. A lot of changes have been made to it....so, hopefully I will keep it updated as the season progresses! I do think that I am going to create a separate sheet and print it out to keep track of the daily harvests. This sheet will be kept in the kitchen and "The Italian" can then update the worksheet in the computer once a week......unless HE comes up with a better idea!!

We have estimated the amounts of produce that we think we need for the year and added that to the sheet. Hopefully, Mother Nature and the critters will cooperate and we will have most of the staples we need this coming year!! Believe it or not, with the 221 lbs of tomatoes harvested last year.....we did not have nearly enough to keep us for a year!!

I have already received two of my seed orders. This is the first time that I have ordered from Pinetree and Baker Creek. I only ordered two packs of seeds from Baker Creek and they sent me two free packs! How Nice!

Phase 2 of the garden planning is the garden layouts. I have worked on them a bit on paper....but, most of the information is still in my head!

So...how are your gardening plans for 2011 coming along??

First Harvest Monday of 2011

After many weeks of no harvests.........I finally harvested some leeks from the garden! I had left several leeks in the garden until we had a craving for leek and potato soup. Well, "The Italian" came down with a slight cold the other day and I thought it was time to make some soup!

They weighed in at 8 oz. after they were completely trimmed.

The soup was absolutely delicious....and was gone before I could take a picture!!

Stop by Daphne's Dandelions our host of Harvest Monday to see more harvests from around the world!

Seed & Source Recommendations Please!!

Now that the hustle and bustle of the Holidays is over, I finally went through all of my seeds. There are a few veggies and fruits that I would greatly appreciate some variety and source recommendations on.

Veggies:

Artichoke, Globe, plants - to buy on-line, I have completely failed growing them from seed and I did not like the variety I purchased last year (I had Imperial Star)

Asparagus Plants - to buy on-line, I have never grown asparagus

Brussels Sprouts - (I planted Long Island) mine grew nice and big, but they did not form heads early enough...I'm still waiting for them to get bigger

Cabbage, Red - I always grow Savoy and it does well. I would like to plant a red variety though

Cauliflower  - (I planted Early Snowball) mine grew well despite the hot weather. I would like to try another variety as well

Corn, Sweet - I have never grown corn in my home garden

Corn, Popcorn - My mother used to grow a great popcorn when I was growing up. I don't know what variety it was.

Lima Bean - I'm looking for small limas, pole if there is such a variety

Pumpkin - I'm looking for a good pumpkin for pies



Fruits:
 
Raspberry, canes - I have never grown raspberries
 
Strawberry, plants - I will be making another bed for strawberries. I have several varieties planted in the bed I have now....but, they are all mixed up and I lost the tags!! I want to plant both Alpine and June

Community Garden Plots

I have been on the waiting list at one of the local Community Gardens since late last spring. New applicants were supposed to get their applications before the end of the year. I had talked to the woman who handles the paperwork for the plots a couple of times this past year.....I really wanted to make sure that we would be able to get a plot or two!! She had informed me that someone else would be handling it this year. However, I would still receive my application at the end of December. When I did not receive an application last week, I decided to call her office. To make a long story short, I was told the the gardens would now be handled by our county Farmland Preservation and given a phone number and a person to talk to.

Well, I am going to deliver my paperwork and check to her on Monday or Tuesday. "The Italian" and I have looked at the gardens and the abandoned plots a couple of times. Today, we decided that we better go look at them again before I submit the paperwork and preferred plot numbers to her this week.

Here are the plots that should be available for next year. Although it is one plot per household, we are going to get two for the family. You are allowed to get plots for other family members in the county. Since, these gardens will provide bulk produce for our family, my FIL is applying for one.

Each plot is about 20' x 30'

These are plots 62 & 61. Although these two plots do not have much fencing, they are not severely overgrown. We won't have to spend as much time clearing. We will, however, have to spend time and money on fencing and setting up a structure and rain barrel set-up. These two plots are side by side....making them about 40' wide by 30' deep. Our number 2 choice....we think.

These are plots 17 & 16. The picture on the left is plot 17 at the bottom and the picture on the right is the right side of 17 & 16. These plots are end to end, making them about 20' wide by 60' deep.

More pictures of plots 17 & 16.

The picture on the left is part of the left side and the picture on the right is the top of plot 16. We really looked at these two plots. The fencing is great and there is also very small fencing at the bottom to keep the bunnies out. There are many rain barrels, a structure, table, shovel and many other useful items left by the previous gardeners. I didn't see anything that would have contaminated the ground. These two plots will take some time to clean out....but, they are our first choice.

These are pictures of plots 9 - 13. The picture on the left is of 11, 12 & 13 and the end of 10. The picture on the right is plot 9. All of these plots are side by side. It's hard to tell if the one was used this year or not. These are our last choice. We will, however take what we can get.

What are your thoughts???? I would love some input.