Thursday, November 28, 2013

Early early early planning for next year


I ordered the following seeds from http://www.victoryseeds.com/.

3270021Dwarf Green Long Pod Okra$1.951$1.95
3270071Emerald Okra$1.951$1.95
3250351Minnesota Midget Melon$2.251$2.25
3030061Roma II Bush Green Bean
Size Options: 1 ounce - $2.25
$2.251$2.25
3310141Cayenne Long Red Hot Pepper$1.951$1.95
3310171Hungarian Yellow Wax Hot Pepper$1.951$1.95
3370211Dark Green Zucchini Summer Squash$1.751$1.75
3300011Oregon Sugar Pod II Pea$1.951$1.95

It's early.  Planning ahead gives me something to look forward to.

Some of the choices are proven performers for me.  The zucchini, Roma bean, Minnesota Midget melon, and the peppers have all done well.  Some are my standards.  The Okra varieties have potential due to their short season - the okra.  Some are shorter growing, so may work OK in a covered bed.  So far I held back on tomatoes.  I have lots of tomato seeds from previous years.

I also placed this order from Burpee.  Except for the compact Okra, all are heirloom varieties.

YOUR PURCHASE INFORMATION
NAMESKUDESCRIPTIONQTYPRICE/ITEMTOTAL ITEM
Okra, Baby Bubba Hybrid(54114A - 1 Pkt. (35 seeds))54114AThis dwarf variety is only half as tall as other okras and perfect for large containers.1$4.95$4.95
Borage(61481A - 1 Pkt. (200 seeds))61481AYoung leaves for salads and lemonade.1$4.95$4.95
Pepper, Hot, Lemon(54320A - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds))54320AHEIRLOOM. From Ecuador, as hot as any Cayenne, but with a truly unique flavor.1$5.25$5.25
Pepper, Sweet, Banana(62976A - 1 Pkt. (125 seeds))62976AHEIRLOOM. An All-America Selections Bronze Medal winner for 1941 and still extremely popular.1$3.95$3.95
Pepper, Hot, Tabasco(53275A - 1 Pkt.)53275ASmall, very hot peppers that lend the kick to the famous hot sauce.1$4.95$4.95

I want  to use1/2 of a a raised bed entirely for peppers.  Foraging in the vegetable garden for them was fun this year.  They added a lot of flavor to many meals.  They need some extra animal protection.  Maybe a chicken-wire fence.

The plan for okra is to raise plants indoors.   Then transfer to a covered raised bed, for warmer growth.  If last years' seeds grow, I may also have Clemson spineless.  Which didn't do great, but were my first attempt, ever, at growing okra.  It was nice using a few pods in soups.

A raised bed is 4 X 8 feet.  A half bed is 4 X 4 but one will be 2 X 8.

Thinking about it - 

1/2 bed for okra
1/2 bed for tomatoes.  Maybe a whole bed.
1/2 bed for peppers
1/2 bed for bush beans.
1/2 bed for pole beans.
1/2 bed for Zucchinis.
1/2 bed for butternut squash.
1/2 bed for melons.

This totals to 4 raised beds for summer / fall vegetables.

1/4 bed for snow peas. These are early, something can replace them in June.

Currently I have 1 bed planted in garlic.  Done in June so can be used for warm season vegetable.
1 bed for onions.  Also done in June so reusable.  That worked well this year for beans.
1/2 bed is shallots.  Those are done in July so can be used for a late vegetable.
1 bed is ready for winter or fall growing.  Maybe greens, radishes, scallions.

There are 11 1/2 raised beds, or will be when I finish the 1 1/2 currently pending.  3 are flowers, 1 is strawberry, leaving 7 1/2.  Other thoughts:  Eggplants.  have been a challenge, maybe1/2 of a covered bed would be warmer.   Chinese cabbages.  Those get eaten by cabbage worms. Even one with a row cover disappeared. 

The last 1 1/2 raised beds.  I have the wood.  It is cut.  Half of the holes are pre-drilled.  Maybe I'll assemble the sides this weekend.  I need to check on whether I have liner and hardware cloth or chicken wire to annoy the moles that want to tunnel into the beds.

The pics are all from Commons.wikimedia.org.


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