We're not completely through the growing season, but things are sort of winding down for us. This was our first garden and it was a big learning experience for our family, me especially. We made our square foot box and it started out wonderfully. However that being said we'll do some things differently next year. Such as:
1) I will have a separate box just for squash and tomatoes. They busted out of our little square foot and tried to take over the whole box. Maybe I should have been pruning more, but these fruits grew massively and they spilled out of the garden box and all over the place. Next time they get their own home away from the other fruits and veggies.
2) I won't plant carrots next year. They just were not all that tasty. Maybe it's the kind I got. We grew baby carrots from seeds, but the fact remains once you pull them up, that's it they're done. And I want plants that keep on giving.
3) No strawberries next year. I know you're thinking WHAT?! No delicious strawberries. Well the ants waged a war on our strawberries and they won, despite our best efforts to kill them they ate way more strawberries than we did.
4) More snap peas and green beans. My green beans are still producing but we barely have enough beans to do anything with. More plants=more beans=more yummy stir-frys. Same with the snap peas. They are delicious and we need more of them.
5) More Kale. The guinea pigs love it and two plants is not enough. More Kale!!
6) Cantaloupe was a bust this year. They got overwhelmed by the squash. I don't think we'll even harvest one. It's so upsetting. Maybe if we get a better set-up going next year we'll try again but as for this year it was a miss.
7) More bell pepper plants. Not a ton, but another one or two would be nice. I love eating our fresh peppers.
8) I planted marigolds with the veggies. Not sure what they were supposed to do but they are still going strong. Should research their benefit more before I plant again next spring.
Next year I'd like to plant some broccoli and maybe some lettuce as well. I love going outside and picking fresh vegetables from our garden. I'd also like to plant another fruit tree. Maybe a nectarine? Or pluot? Boysenberries would be awesome also. I need to look into how much work they are to grow.
Our healthy little garden was a fun first step into gardening. I am expecting bigger things next year. Until then I'll just keep enjoying the current harvest while thinking of next year's Sunny Patch Garden.
