I go through phases of thinking I’d be a good gardener. I’m even sure I mentioned it here.
This time though I have real motivation for it. The CSA program we were looking forward to buying into again this year has been cancelled. I nearly cried when I got the news. I loved our CSA produce. Loved loved loved it.
After researching a couple other alternatives – most not being a true CSA but more like discounted market produce at the Farmers’ Market I wasn’t thrilled.
(A new note since I first wrote this post: Thanks to Twitter friends I have learned of another viable CSA option provided by Etomami Organics / Sask Eco Farm, a farming operation in northern SK who delivers to Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and Canora. Their monthly CSA costs are reasonable and we are seriously considering joining this CSA.)
And now back to what I was saying …
I decided the only way I’m going to be happy this summer is if I grow my own veggies.
So now instead of just talking about it and pretending to do it, I’m going to actually do it. That’s right. A new hobby.
I have the summer off school and don’t plan on working during the summer. I’m going to need something to keep me busy. Also, I enjoy being outside in the sun. So what better way to keep busy, with the dogs outside, in the sun, than digging in dirt and then reaping the benefits of fresh wholesome produce?
I’m planning my garden now because it will require some work to build it before the growing season is actually ready to start. I am doing a raised garden bed all along the back fence. I am doing it raised for a few reasons. I’ve heard there is better soil moisture control and less weeding. I’m also hoping that having a raised bed might help prevent the dogs from just running through it all willy-nilly. (One can hope!)
I want to grow the things I love to eat a lot of.
Tomatoes, squashes, beans, beets, kale, chard, and potatoes. There will be lots of herbs too.
Everything I’ve researched about starting a garden for the first time tells you that you should start small. I think that the list above is fairly small and the space I’m going to be using isn’t giant so it hopefully will work out good.
I’ll be chronicling my progress here. Mostly for accountability so I don’t let this project die by the wayside.
So, let’s start at the start.
Step One:
Pose like an overexcited fool with your seed starting tray. Aaaannnnnd, check!
Ummm, so now what? I guess we just wait and see?
What kind of tomatoes will you grow? We’ve tried many varieties including different heirlooms but ultimately the tomatoes with the shortest growing period works best if it’s a short summer. Nothing beats vine-ripened tomatoes with fresh basil and olive oil.
I’m definitely going to try heirloom tomatoes. Because we have a sunroom I think we might be able to get good growth out of tomato plants in pots as it will be a lot like a greenhouse. I’m going to give it a try anyway. I want to do some San Marzanos and cherry tomatoes too. A good variety of shapes and sizes.