Dreaming of Spring

On this snowy and chilly day of January, I start dreaming about the spring and what I am going to do different with my gardens this year.  Many things are taken into consideration when I ponder over the next years garden. Here are a few of the things I think about from year to year. 

First of all I get out my garden journal from the prior two years and take a look at where we planted what.  My husband and I have a tendency to move things around to get a better harvest.  We have learned an awful lot about gardening in our 40+ years together.  Looking at our layouts for the prior two years gives us insight as to which crop does better in which location.  I also take into account the variety of vegetable and how great or not so great the yield was.  Sometimes we bomb on a variety and other times we find a new one to try that is outstanding.  This is all trial and error on our part. 

We look at the garden areas and decide if we will need to trim tree branches back to allow more sunlight and which ones will be trimmed.  Usually we take a soil sample and have it analyzed to see what we need added to improve our soil, thus improve our yields.  

I then hit the many seed catalogs that bombard my mail box this time of year and read up on new and different varieties.  Usually I try one or two new varieties and many times I try something totally different.  How else will I know if I like it or not, and who knows I may find a new vegetable to add to my table.  

Unfortunately then comes the wait for spring and getting our hands in the dirt.  There is something to be said about playing in the dirt.  I love the way the soil feels, enjoy the bugs and worms, and knowing that we will have another successful garden.  Happy dreaming to all!

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