Okay, call me crazy -- the new section of our community garden opened for applications on February 1st. I anxiously awaited midnight to get on the computer to claim the third garden plot I had my eye on that is closest to my others.
The evening before, after thinking about all of the different vegetable varieties that I want to grow this year and the seeds that Laurie, and Brenda, and I have ordered, I wondered where in the world I was going to put everything. There is something that every gardener hates -- not being able to grow something due to lack of space. I called Laurie and told her that I thought I needed a fourth plot. She told me I was crazy and asked if I had told Dan yet. I told her what I really wanted was a really, really small farm, and if I couldn't have that, who could deny me four garden plots? BTW, Dan was out of town and didn't really care the next day when I told him which two plots I got (I just acted as though that was the plan all along!). After all, I do 99% of the garden anyway, although I may ask for a couple hours of his help when tilling and forming the beds to speed things along. I think the kids will also be helping a little with watering this year if we have weather anything like last year. (P.S. Laurie also succumbed and got a garden plot right next to mine!!)
My desire for gardening isn't just about how many organic veggies I can grow for our family and friends to eat. It is about my love for starting these plants from a seed and watching them grow and thrive and produce beautiful fruits and vegetables. It's about experimenting with all the different varieties of various shapes, colors, and tastes. I check on them each day and try to give them what they need. I enjoy chatting with the friends I have made there who share my love for gardening. I love the peacefulness of the garden. I can go there planning to work for about an hour and realize that four hours have passed. It is my sanctuary.
Here are some of the varieties that I plan to grow this year:
King Richard Leeks
Baby Primor Leeks (B)
Jersey Knight Asparagus
San Marzano Tomatoes
Celebrity Tomatoes
Big Beef Tomatoes (B)
Valenciano Heirloom Tomatoes
Italian Pompeii Tomatoes (B)
Cuor Di Beu (H) Tomatoes (L)
Riesentraube (H) Tomatoes (L)
Red Brandywine (H) Tomatoes (L)
Bilko Napa Cabbage
Da Cheong Chae Pak Choi
Cherry Belle Radishes
Eight Ball Round Zucchini
Flying Saucer Patty Pan Squash
Zephyr Summer Squash
Sunburst Scallop Squash
Black Beauty Zucchini
Trombetta Squash (B)
Early Prolific Straightneck
Honey Bear Acorn Winter Squash
Butternut Winter Squash
Sungold Tomatoes
Sweet Gold Tomatoes
Supersweet Tomatoes
Yellow Pear Tomatoes
Rotonda Bianca Sfumata DiRosa (H) Eggplant (L)
Nadia Eggplant (B)
Beatrice Eggplant (B)
Rosa Bianca Eggplant (B)
Black Beauty Eggplant
Bright Lights Swiss Chard
Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard
Georgia Southern Collards
Tyee Spinach
Arugala Rocket
Butternut Crunch Lettuce
Black-Seeded Simpson Lettuce
Allstar Gourmet Lettuce Mix
Red Sails Lettuce
Sweetie Baby Romaine (B)
Pontiac Red Potatoes
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Kennebec Potatoes
Georgia Jet Sweet Potatoes
Touchstone Gold Beets
Detroit Dark Red Beets
Chiogga Beets
Sugar Snap Peas
Wando Peas
Snow Crown Cauliflower
Waltham 29 Broccoli
Pixie Cabbage (B)
Windsor Fava Beans
Goldrush Wax Beans
Royal Burgandy Beans
Blue Lake Beans
Romano Italian Beans
Hutterite Soup Beans (H) (L)
Harwig's Belgium Beans (H) (L)
Dragons Tongue Beans (H) (L)
Straight-Eight Cucumbers
Endeavor Pickling Cucumber (B)
Boston Pickling Cucumber (J)
Sugarsnax 54 Carrots
American Purple-Top Yello Rutabaga
Admiral Garden Bell (B)
Vidi Crimson Bell (B)
Orange Valencia Bell (B)
Ace Sweet Bell Peppers
Japanese Yubari King-Type Cantelope (L)
Gallery Galia Melon (B)
Solid Gold Melon (B)
Earlidew Honeydew (B)
Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe
Crimson Sweet Watermelon
Strawberries
Now can you understand why I need a fourth plot?~ Oh my, after looking at this list, I'm wondering if I need a fifth?
