Found My Christmas Present to ME--Master Gardener Class

A local extension office is offering a Master Gardener class and I'm signing up!  I found my Christmas present to me!

As a young girl and in FFA and Agriculture classes, I loved plant identification.  Our class went to the Badlands for competition and practiced at the lake.   

I loved that feeling of walking through the prairie grasses closing observing the individual plants.  There is so much beauty in the shapes and textures of native plants and grasses.

So...I'm jazzed!  I think I'll talk my husband into going with me!  It will be date night!

Expanding Simply

Expanding simply is my goal.  

To add a few new varieties of tomatoes, potatoes, beans and peppers to my seed order was one way of doing this.  To learn more about the differences in varieties and thinking about how they will best work for me and within my schedule, my life and my environment.

I used to work against myself.  I started 50 tomato plants one year and couldn't figure out why I couldn't keep up with them and three little boys of my own and those I provided child care for....  

My personality needs some room to roam and meander and I plant to match me knowing that I will be more successful that way.  I've stopped trying to do what everyone does...instead I do what works for me!

My goal this year is to plant intentionally and not willy nilly as I grab plants from the green house and stick them in the ground.  To take into account how I like to grow things.  

For example:

• I plant my beans, peppers and tomatoes more in squares then in rows.  I find I can manage them better.  
• I use single posts and twine instead of cages that frustrate me.  Using a raised bed helps me do this.
• Using small old tires along the back fence to plant potatoes in helps me plant them and forget them.  I use mulch and when I water my flowers...they get it too!
• I put my garden where it works instead of feeling like I have to have everything in one square plot.  
• Herbs in my flowers.  Zucchini on the back of my flower bed and along the fence.  Onions, dill and other perennials in a back corner out of the way!

Finally to expand simply...I have a plan and I'm beginning to order seeds so I'm set and ready to go!  Limiting buying too much on a whim in the spring.

Get Ready to Plant!!

SEED CATALOGS

Huurrrra....  Seed Catalogs are in.  My pen is out.  Dreaming of gardening again!

Planning Time--- Trying to Keep It Simple!

BEGINNING PLANS!  Notes in my journal!

Planning on changing plants around to different beds!

Helpful Worksheet as I plan out next year!



Vegetable Planting Guide Worksheet
ese are general guidelines. Growing times can vary greatly depending on the seed
variety you select. Check seed packet for exact growing and planting times.
1. Write “Date of Last Frost” for your region in the space provided below.
(See: www.almanac.com)
2. Using a calendar, calculate the “planting date” by adding or subtracting the
number of weeks listed from the “Date of Last Frost.”
3. Calculate the “Sow Date” by subtracting the “Growth Period” from the “Planting
Date.” (Sow Date is the date to sow seed indoors or in a greenhouse for transplanting
into the garden after the last frost.)
Seed/Plant
Beans* 8 to10
Beets* 8 to 10 2-3 weeks after
Broccoli 8 to 10 2 weeks before
Brussels Sprouts 16 to 19 3 weeks before
Cabbage 13 to 17 3 weeks before
Carrots* 8 to 10 1-2 weeks after
Cauliflower 8 to 10 2 weeks before
Collards 4 to 6 4 weeks before
Corn* 9 to 12 2 weeks after
Cucumber* 6 to 12 1-2 weeks after
Eggplant 14 to 20 3 weeks after
Lettuce 4 to 7 1-2 weeks after
Greens* 5 to 7 Soon as soil can be worked
Okra 4 to 6 2-4 weeks after
Onion* 8 to 10 2-3 weeks before
Parsley 8 to 10 2 weeks before
Peas* 8 to 10 4-6 weeks before
Peppers 8 to 10 2 weeks after
Potatoes* 10 to 20 2-3 weeks after
Pumpkin* 15 to 18 2-3 weeks after
Radish* 4 3-4 weeks before
Spinach* 6 to 7 3-6 weeks before
Winter Squash* 13 to 22 2 weeks after
Tomato 8 to 12 1 week after
Zucchini* 2 to 4 2 weeks after
*Seeds can be direct-sown in the garden soil. Other seeds will need to be starte







http://www.vegetable-gardening-online.com/raised-bed-vegetable-garden.html

Slowing Down-Planning for Next Year

Several nights of "almost freezing" and our growth time is slowing down quickly!! One final bed needs amended manure, compost and grass clippings and leaves.  I'm moving in plants and tools and taking in my owner to be fixed and put away.  So in the spirit of wrapping up I'm making notes now and planning for next year.

To Do Next year:

• Plant more potatoes!
• Make more raised beds.
• Create my own custom tomato cages.
• PUT UP A PRIVACY FENCE!
• Draw garden layout and organize plant ordering now!
• Space my plants more realistically.
• Put stakes out immediately when I plant.
• Beg my husband to make a drip system and water collection system for me.
• Write when and where I plant everything AS I plant them!
• Peruse the dumping spots for flat rocks and bricks to finish a path around my beds.
• Re-design berm with the plants for butterflies and grasses.
• Cover herb beds.

David's Raised Bed Design

I have loved my raised beds that David and the boys made for me.  My goal all summer was to put in the Buster Bed!  Buster was our very loved family pet and the bed is where we buried him.  It was a beautiful day with two boys so we decided to get it done.  Although when we were finish...we all missed Buster and were wistful for Joshua.

People have asked how we made ours so this is it...  I do use clear caulking to fill in the larger cracks in the joints and I water proof the wood later.

Leveled!

4X4X6 Treated Post

Deciding the Lay Out.  (Oops you can see the chair that is waiting for a trip to the dump!)

Is It Square?

Drilling the Holes!

  

Drilling the holes through.  Two on each corner.  They set up the corners so they are super sturdy!

Hammering in Two Foot Re-bar.... Way Harder Than It Looks!

Next Step:  Fill the bed with the compost and dirt that I've been saving and water.  Add the chicken manure and grass clippings and it will be ready to work through the winter.  It will be our pepper bed!

Fall is in the Air

It is feeling rather fallish!!!  I love a long and drawn out autumn but have a feeling that this is not the year.  It just seems different.  My cottonwood trees are shedding a few leaves and am not sure if that is from the heat earlier or... gasp.... fall!!!

Beginning fall clean up chores while nurturing those tomatoes, peppers and beans to keep producing!  

Winter is time for the soil to do what the soil does! My job is giving it an environment to do that.

Putting in a new bed so the grass clippings can be doing its thing over the winter.

Watering deeply.  

Bringing home from the chicken house and barn bags of manure.

Sprinkling Epson salt on my yard and around the trees.

Pruning and transplanting.

Mulching and protecting.

Tucking everything in for the winter rest.

Fall is a good feeling.  

A sense of harvest and warmth.  Hope.