Wrapping Up This Year's Garden and Planning for Next Year

Wrapping up this year:

I started the week by adding more dirt and compost to our garden beds and planting some garlic. This is my first time planting garlic in the raised beds. I planted them according to directions I found on the internet - about 1" deep - and then covered it with mulch. I am hoping for a good crop since garlic is not only wonderful to have in the kitchen for seasoning, but is also a great herbal aid for fighting colds, flu, etc.

I also collected a few ground cherries that were ready.  We have so many more this year than we did last year, though I suppose it isn't difficult to top the two lone cherries we harvested previously! (I did say this is a space to share successes AND failures!) This variety of ground cherry is supposed to have a pineapple flavor, but my first bite tasted buttery, like shortbread, before evolving into a more fruity flavor.  It is such a fun plant to harvest. Have you tried these? They look like a tomatillo plant and are harvested in a similar manner. The fruit grows in a papery exterior. It is ready to eat when the exterior is yellow and somewhat dry, usually after falling off the vine. The fruit inside resembles a yellow cherry tomato in both color and texture, but the flavor is sweeter and more fruity. Our boys said the flavor keeps changing as you chew - a bit like the chewing gum in the old Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie.

Planning for next year:

With the cooler weather coming and preparing the garden beds for winter, my thoughts have turned to next year's garden.  That means getting seeds together now for those plants from which we did not collect seeds this year. Years ago, we bought a number 10 can of heirloom garden seeds packed in mylar bags.  We stored it in the freezer for several years and then took it out about 5 years ago.  We are still using some of the seeds.  Surprisingly, the germination rate is still quite good. Since our supply has dwindled over the past five years, I am looking to purchase more seeds for future storage and use. Considering past supply chain issues, I plan to purchase my seeds now for next spring.

Below is the new version of the can we bought so many years ago.  It only has 16 varieties, but they are chosen for a wide range of growing climates, including short season - a must for where we live. I am considering purchasing it simply because I know the germination rate is fantastic and it stores for such a long amount of time. Plus, there are LOTS of each variety to grow a large garden, share with friends, barter, or keep for future garden years.

Mountain Valley Seed Company 16 Varieties Vegetable Garden Can (50,000 Seeds)

Here are the other packages that I am considering. Both contain a variety of heirloom seeds grown in the USA and packed in mylar bags. One has 32 varieties and the other has 50.  We definitely don't have enough garden space to use all of the seeds in one year, but I like having the long-term storage option, a good variety, and plenty extra for seed sharing, barter, and future garden years.

Open Seed Vault 32 Variety Pack (15,000 Seeds)

B&KM Farms 50 Variety Pack (50,000 Seeds)

When do you start planning your spring garden?


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