Getting Organized

 

Before ordering seeds I need to organize the seeds I have to determine what I want more of and what I don't need.  Last year I stored all my seeds in a Ziploc bag but this year I decided I wanted something that kept them sorted and more organized.

I went to the craft store in search of an inexpensive recipe box to put the seeds in but instead found this box.  It was only $3, cheaper than the recipe boxes, deeper than a recipe box, sturdier, and has a clasp so that the packets won't tumble out if it accidentally gets dropped or jostled around.

For now I have pieces of left over card stock from other projects as dividers between groups and filling tabs as labels.  I would like to have dividers that fit properly but these work for now.  I have already filled this one up so I might just have to go get another.

I was thinking I could use old seed packets to decoupage onto the box.  Although these are the only seed packets I have left.  There isn't much variety in them and I write the year they were bought on the outside so I am not thrilled with my selection.  I am tempted to go buy packets that look pretty just to use for this project which would make an inexpensive project pricier.

Catalogs

The seed catalogs have been coming in over the past month slowly but surely.  While we are on Winter Break I am going to peruse through them all and start to dream up next year's garden.

Taking Notes

Over the past year I have been taking notes about when and what was planted, the weather, the progress of plants and such.  It has been really helpful to look back and see what I did last year.  I know it will be a fabulous resource in future years to have records of what is "normal" in my garden and to reflect on successes and failures.  However my notes have been in an old inexpensive small legal pad.  The pages are starting to curl and have been beaten up as I carry it in my purse, tote it outside and throw it into random places. 

I decided it was time to move up in the world and get something that would hold my notes and keep them in good condition.  This is what I ended up with, a leather bound journal with an elastic that will hold it together to keep the pages safe.  There is plenty of room for writing and it will contain at least a decade worth of notes if not more.  But the part I really liked was the accordion style folder in the back cover to hold plant tags, leaves, petals and other materials that I collect for saving.  I'm such a nerd but I love picking these things out and it has made me excited to take even more notes. 

Late

I am running late on planning our garden this year.  I have yet to buy any seeds.  Only this past weekend did I finally look at the seeds I currently have, which is only a bunch of lettuces.  We've been otherwise occupied with our decision to become beekeepers, planning the garden expansion, and everyday life.  I need to hurry and pick out what we want because in a week or two I need to get some seeds in the ground!

Crop Rotation

As I work on planning the garden one aspect is picking what kind and varieties of each plant will we grow, the other aspect is placement.  A big factor in placement is to consider what was grown there last year.  Crop rotation makes sure that plants of the same family are not planted in the same spot year after year.  Some plant diseases and pests live in the soil, if planted in the same spot year after year the same issues will ensue each year.  By switching around plant families which have different diseases and pests you will help to increase the likelihood of healthy plants.

I have heard all sorts of ideas about crop rotation.  One theory is that you should be on a five year rotation or some say a seven year rotation.  Maybe a farm has room for a seven year rotation but I am going to be happy if I can figure out a good three year rotation.  Last year it was easy to flip flop the placement of the plants.  This year is going to be a bit trickier in terms of planning.  I don't want to flip flop the plants back to their placement two years ago, luckily with the possibility of creating more beds that will solve the rotation issue.

Some people just figure it out year to year how they will rotate their plants.  However others have a real science to it.  This Fall I read about the Bio-Dynamic Method of crop rotation which has a four season rotation.  Their rotation is based on five main plant families, here is what they say:

Season 1 - Grow solonaceae (potatoes and tomatoes) which are nutrient hogs.
               - In the Fall replace them with brassicaceae (cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower) which will take away the food source for solonaceae fungal issues and pests.

Season 2 - Follow with apiaceae (root veggies).

Season 3 - Plant leguminosae (legumes, peas, beans) which replenish nitrogen levels in the soil.

Season 4 - In the last year plant asteraceae (lettuce and salad crops) which can grow well in depleted soil and will do well with the nitrogen left behind by the legumes.

Then when season 4 is over apply compost, manure or other amendments and start the rotation over.

2011 Garden Planning Begins

Some of my seed catalogs have come in.  I couldn't order a few 2011 catalogs until just recently and are waiting for them to arrive.  What are your favorite catalogs?  I won't order too many seeds because any seeds I plant have to be able to grow directly from the ground outside.  The ground won't be workable for a couple of months and in the next month or so is when many seeds need to get a head start.  I don't have a proper indoor light for seed starting, it is on my wish list so that I can soon grow more than what I can get at garden centers.