Panning Part III- The Master Plan

Here my high-tech 2011 garden master plan. Clicking on the image should enlarge it enough to make the text readable.

Additional note: First seeds of the season ordered this past week. Yukon Gold and Purple Viking potatoes, and Green Arrow and Amish Sugar Snap peas.

2011 Planning- Part II

Looking back at my list of planned projects last year, I actually didn't do half bad. I'd give myself maybe a B-.

The new raised bed were a substantial accomplishment as they significantly increased both the size and quality of my growing space. Similarly the lattice/ trellis wall along the parking lot side of the garden was a serious improvement and a welcome addition. The added privacy is great, and I am hoping to better utilize the additional vertical growing space this year.

The compost pile did not see much activity and still looks more or less the same as last year, although at the end of the season I did acquire a nice sized shipping pallet that I am hoping to use to better define the area. I did follow through on my plans to plant perennial vegetables, in this case Asparagus and Rhubarb. Although neither yielded a harvest the first year (which is expected) they both showed signs of vigour and life- the Rhubarb in particular was strong. I am going to try to be as attentive as possible to the Asparagus this year in hopes of getting it well established for the years to come. My final project (chicken acquisition) never materialized. Unfortunately this one simply fell by the wayside.

Now, looking ahead to planned projects for the 2011 season:

Compost Heap: This needs to happen. Right now my derelict pile of old leaves and garden waste takes up maximum space while providing minimal finished, usable compost. My goal is a neat, compact, active and effective pile to provide the beds with a continually renewing source of garden fertility.

Ducks: My ideal backyard bird has always been a duck. One of my farming hero's Eliott Coleman is a champion of ducks in the garden saying that not only do they lay eggs, eat bugs, and provide fertilizer as well (or better than) chickens, they also are generally more amicable and pleasant to be around. I am hoping to get 3-4 Khaki Cambell ducks, probably from here.

Season Extension: I am already doing this in a rudimentary way by starting seedlings indoors on a windowsill, and outside in my "mini greenhouse" pots. My hope though is to develop a system of low hoop plastic tunnels to fit over the raised beds frames so that I can continue growing longer into the cold fall and winter months. I am again looking to Eliot Coleman, specifically his book "Four Season Harvest" for inspiration and instruction on this one.

Vertical Expansion: This is always an ongoing work in progress, but I am hoping this year to find more ways to use vertical space for growing. I have the large lattice wall in place, but additionally I'll have access this year to a nearly unlimited supply of good quality long bamboo poles, so the possibilities for trellis and tee pee building are endless.

2011 Planning- Part I

Crop List in Progress for 2011 season:

TOMATO:

Sungold

Amish Paste

Gold Medal*

Matt's Wild Cherry*

Red Brandywine

Halladay's Mortgage Lifter*

MELON:

Eden's Gem*

Golden Midget*

Blacktail Mountain

POTATO:

Purple Viking*

Yukon Gold

WINTER SQUASH:

Burgess Buttercup*

Potimarron*

Winter Luxury Pie*

SUMMER SQUASH:

Costata Romenesco

Yellow Crookneck

PEA:

Amish Snap*

Green Arrow

CUCUMBER:

A&C Pickling

BEANS:

Tongue of Fire*

Garden of Eden*

PEPPER:

Ancho Gigantea

GREENS:

Lacinato Kale*

Rhubarb Red Chard

Lettuce Mix

Blue Solaiae Leek*

De Cicco Broccoli*

*new variety

The Last Squash Standing

It's official. The last holdover from the 2010 growing seen is gone. Eaten-bowls-licked-clean- and-washed-and-leftovers-tucked-in-the-freezer-gone. I'd made a batch of squash soup a while back, and being pretty pleased with the result, decided that this one would meet a similar end. Despite this being probably the smallest squash that I harvested it still made enough for a meal for us plus a huge portion to pass along to friends.

The process is simple. It begins by roasting the squash on a pan in a 350 degree oven.

After about an hour the flesh is slumped in and soft, and the skin peels right off with your fingers.

Carrots, celery and onions are chopped and placed in a pot with broth to simmer while prepping the squash.

After cooled slightly the flesh of the squash is scooped out and cut into smaller chunks.

Squash pieces are added to vegetables and broth and allowed to further simmer and soften. Things start to smell very good at this point.

When all ingredients are suitably soft and juicy an immersion blender is used to bring everything to a pleasantly smooth consistently. Finally cream and spices are added and mixed in. And then you have soup. Yum.

Remnants

These pictures were taken about a week ago. It was the last week of October, before the two heavy, killing frosts. Everything now has officially started it's long winter decay, and I've already sent much of the green seen in these photos to the compost pile. I'm glad I got a few last pictures in before the season ended, even if it was just a fleeting glimpse of the garden's final days.

I had two of these (very large) cinderella pumpkins, which have always been a fovorite of Jen's. Unfortunately they never reached their fully mature coloring, although they are still pretty stunning in their dark, mottled greens.

I may have never mentioned it but I planted hops this year. Of the 4 varieties I planted this one did best. Next year I'll be able to add some home-grown hops to some home-made brews.

The final vestiges of this years tomato onslaught. I just can't say enough good things about Sungold. They were the first to ripen, the last ones left and they just taste so darn good.

I am always impressed by the beauty and virility of the swiss chard. If any plants survived yesterday's frost (haven't checked yet) it would be these. Plus, do any other salad plants look this good?

The Dhalias seemed to, if anything, reach their peak as October ended. Until the frost they remained a brilliant shot of color amidst the browns and greens of fall.

These Pennsylvania Crookneck Squash were the unheralded wonder-kids of this year's garden. This squash pictured is just one of seven or eight that reached full maturity this year. If anything these plants may have been a tad too fertile as the vines stretched on and on, nearly engulfing the entire garden.

A final pumpkin shot. Looking dark and regal perched atop the picnic table. Having not fully ripened there is little usefullness for this squash outside of allowing it to become a beautiful fall sculpture, a reminder of the summer and a promise of the spring.

It's a jungle out there

Just returned from ten days in Maine. The garden has survived (and thrived) in my absence. Everything is growing into and on top of everything else, weeds included. I have my work cut out for me in the days to come.

This Zuchinni was as big around as a baseball bat, and nearly as long. It got chucked in the compost heap. A couple of nice ones made it onto the diiner plate though.

Pumpkin growing into Zucchini, growing into Tomato, growing into watermelon. It's a beautiful mess.

Sugar Baby Watermelon. Bowling ball size. Maybe ready to pick this week.

Blacktail Mountain watermelon. Softball size.

My assistant director of Zinnia beheading. Hard at work.

Sungold Tomatoes on the vine...

...and in my hand.

Charentais melon. First one picked of the season (cue ominous music...)

The summer squash and zucchini joined some Sungolds in a pasta for dinner.

I really thought that this melon was ripe.

It even looked a little ripe on the inside. But, alas it was not to be. It tasted like...water. Hard, sour, melony flavored water.

Rain

After 2 solid weeks without a drop, today we've had a heavy, drenching rain. Finally.

This Yellow Crookneck Squash will be eaten tonight.

A Dhalia among melons.

A glistening Cherokee Purple tomato.

Sungold cascade.

A still life of summer squash and Sungold.

A dangling Blacktail Mountain watermelon.

A dark and mysterious melon.

Potato vines have begun to die back. I've read that you can just leave the spuds in the ground and harvest them as needed, so thats what I'll do.

Lettuce has all bolted. Soon I'll rip it all out to plant fall peas.

The promise of a Dhalia.

Delivered.

Zinnias in many hues.

Dinner.