I tend to spend January dreaming of what might happen in my garden (and my clients’ gardens!) during the next growing season. I take my time cleaning up my own garden and preparing it for the year so that I can really see what’s going on in each area. Is it soggy? Soggier than I would expect? Does soil move around during heavy rains? Which areas thaw first in the cold mornings, and which areas stay frozen through the entire day? This kind of information can be captured best from a hands-and-knees perspective, particularly at a very slow pace. Sometimes I act quickly - moving around mulches and plants that may be suffering. Sometimes I just take note, and wonder what to do with that frosty pocket that might not warm up till May.
Blauhilde Bean. Photo and seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, rareseeds.com I also spend a lot of time wandering around, looking at the shapes and structures in the garden. Do the trees seem balanced? Are shrubs and trees in proportion with one another, and within the bed that they live in? Are there areas that seem bland and flat? Since structural elements tend to be more permanent, I take my time making decisions about how to create more harmony. I have a plum tree and an apricot tree that were violently pruned prior to when I moved in, and as I look at there distorted shapes all winter I remember to have compassion for all the wounded beings in the world. Although I would love to remove them and start over, I think of all the times people in my life have had compassion for me at my less-than-perfect, and wish them well in their next year of growth. My vigorous vine maple, on the other hand, gets a gentle reminder from my loppers to share the space and let some light through to the ground. In some places where I suspect I’m needing more structure and height, I am preparing the soil to grow annual vines such as trellised runner beans, just to see what it might be like to have a taller element.
Usually, the dreary January weather keeps me in the contemplative planning mode rather than zealous preparation for the new year. But you might have noticed this January has been distinctly brighter and drier, which has carried me into planning the vegetable garden already. In reflection on last year’s garden, my partner and I decided to focus on greens and herbs this year. We’ll leave most of the root veggies and fruits to the farmers. Here are some highlights of what’s to come:
Herbs: Cilantro, parsley, shiso, dill and basil will all get more space this year, in addition to our perennial herb garden.
Greens: Ruby Orach is the returning champion, and will be joined by several lettuces, mustards, Gailan, and Premium Late Flat Dutch cabbage which is an heirloom variety producing HUGE heads! And of course, plenty of kale.
Usually, the dreary January weather keeps me in the contemplative planning mode rather than zealous preparation for the new year. But you might have noticed this January has been distinctly brighter and drier, which has carried me into planning the vegetable garden already. In reflection on last year’s garden, my partner and I decided to focus on greens and herbs this year. We’ll leave most of the root veggies and fruits to the farmers. Here are some highlights of what’s to come:
Herbs: Cilantro, parsley, shiso, dill and basil will all get more space this year, in addition to our perennial herb garden.
Greens: Ruby Orach is the returning champion, and will be joined by several lettuces, mustards, Gailan, and Premium Late Flat Dutch cabbage which is an heirloom variety producing HUGE heads! And of course, plenty of kale.
Ruby Orach. Photo from wildernessarena.com Legumes: Two new bean varieties! Cantare is a small and delicious French bean, and Blauhilde will hopefully produce 10-inch purple pods. Fava beans are snap peas are returning staples.
Roots: I’m excited about growing Spanish black radishes and daikon radishes, both new additions to the garden this year.
Fruits: Last summer, I walked through the local pea patch envious of the beautiful tomatillo plants decorated with delicate fruits late in the season. This year, I’ll be planting a Polish variety named Amarylla which has gorgeous and tasty yellow fruits.
I’ll return with some updates on successes and inevitable disappointments throughout the season!
Roots: I’m excited about growing Spanish black radishes and daikon radishes, both new additions to the garden this year.
Fruits: Last summer, I walked through the local pea patch envious of the beautiful tomatillo plants decorated with delicate fruits late in the season. This year, I’ll be planting a Polish variety named Amarylla which has gorgeous and tasty yellow fruits.
I’ll return with some updates on successes and inevitable disappointments throughout the season!
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