Organizing seeds and garden inventory

This week I took time to browse through a stack of catalogs and picked out quite a few new varities of veggies that I wanted to try. In one of my previous posts in a fall I said I'll keep it simple and will plant only those veggies that we do eat. But I will keep outside of the garden area for experimental veggies - if they survive all animals that is. That way inside the garden premium space won't be wasted.. 

I did get more beans to try because last year we didn't really get any to eat and I didn't save seeds so had to restock. I won't plant as many varieties of tomatoes this year but will increase peppers. My "seeds 2014" page shows inventory of ALL seeds, plants, trees and shrubs that we have in or outside the house - not necessary of what I will be planting. That part I'm yet to decide. I know what I will not plant for sure - they are listed in italic font and these seeds will be going to a  local community garden for new users. I also have more greens than I can count but it won't hurt to plant them as they'll b done before summer and before tomatoes and peppers will be planted. I have some more that people sent me to sort and catalog but that will wait till next weekend.

And I'm also waiting to see what my coworkers will pick for me to try - I made it into a game for them. They have to look through the catalog and find 1 item that they never tried before that looks fantastic and sounds like will taste great and can grow in zone 6. So far only 1 person picked something I did not have before - strawberry spinach, so of course I had to order it. Can't wait to see what others come up with.

How does your garden planning coming along?

First Harvest in 2014

Happy New Year everyone! It's been a very nice and quiet time since last time I've posted, but the cold weather makes me wish for warm and sunny spring. It doesn't help that all these seed catalogs started to come in. And I got a wonderful present from Dave from Our Happy Acres with bunch of seeds! So of course the seed-itch started and I've started planning my new season. I will post updated seed list shortly, after i get it all organized. 

This weekend I also checked my hoophouse to see if anything survived the bitter cold that we had for several weeks - at one point it went to -8 with windchills at -20. I doubt that my figts or persimon survived but will have to wait and see what happens in spring. But hoophouse seem to protect some of the parsley and carrots and I was even able to harvest few carrots for dinner.
So this weekend I will browse through what I have, order more seeds as I want to try few new things this year and start making seed-mats.

How does your garden doing these days? Check with Daphne at http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/ for other harvests.