Tomato seedlings

What is in store for 2013?

Happy New Year!

It’s the first day of 2013 and also the week I’m supposed to start my tomatoes from seed. I will be assembling my seed starting light and the new cold frame my husband gave me for Christmas later today. So Exciting!

 

I’ve spent the past month pouring through seed catalogs, dreaming of my garden for this year. However, I am also attempting to restrain myself and really use up the seeds I already own. With this in mind, I'm looking forward to the most productive garden year yet.

Here is a look at what I’m planning for 2013:

Varieties I’ll berepeating

Lake Tomatoes - 2012 stash

Pineapple Tomatoes - 2012 stash

Super Boy Hybrid - 2010 stash

Roma Tomatoes - 2011 stash

Jubilee Tomatoes - 2010 stash

Chocolate Cherry –2011 stash

Danvers#I26 Carrots –2010 stash

Hybrid sugarsnax Carrots –2011 stash

Yellow Summer Squash – 2010 stash

Vegetable Spaghetti Squash – 2011 stash

EarlyWonder Tall Top Beets – 2012 stash

French Breakfast Radishes – 2012 stash

Pinto Beans – 2012 stash

Rattlesnake Beans – 2012 stash

Royal Burgundy Beans – 2012 stash

Blue Lake Beans – 2012 stash

Crimson Sweet Watermelon – 2010 stash

Jubilee Watermelon – 2010 stash

Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe – 2011 stash

Howden Pumkin – 2011 stash

Small Sugar Pumpkin – 2010 stash

RougeVif D’Etampes Pumpkin – 2012 stash

Lumina Pumpkin – 2011 stash

Varieties I’ll betrying

Arkansas Traveler Tomatoes – Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Costoluto Genovese Tomatoes – Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Cherokee Purple Tomatoes – Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Atomic Red Carrot – Bountiful Gardens

Bennings Green Tint Summer Squash – Bountiful Gardens

Dark Star Zucchini – Bountiful Gardens

Sunset Runner Beans - Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Golden Sunshine Beans - Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Prescott Fond Blanc Melon - Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Kakai Pumpkin – Bountiful Gardens

What are you planning for your 2013 Garden?

Snow/Ice Garden

I woke up to 19 degrees this morning and a leftover White Christmas. Beautiful

Using what you've got

I've been planning for 2013 this month and it occurred to me, "Why not just use what I've got?". I currently have eleven varieties of tomato seeds, some dating back to 2010. From what I've read, it appears that Tomato seeds will last three to four years if stored properly. And if your not sure, you can always do a seed germination test. Just moisten a paper towel, place seeds on it, fold it, put it in a plastic bag and then store it in a dark place. Wait two weeks and then check to see which varieties have sprouted.

The problem is I like buying and trying new seed varieties... really like. 

With limited space, I believe my solution will need to be a three pronged approach:

1. Decided which varieties you enjoyed the most and grew well. Use what you have left over, these will become your stables.

2. Select one or two varieties you haven't tried (either on hand or purchased) and give them a whirl, these will be your garden adventure.

3. Bless someone else, either with seed varieties you have on hand or by growing extra seedlings to share with a friend. I did it this year and it was exciting to visit my friend's garden and see the other varieties I started. Also, some towns have seed libraries where you can donate seeds and try new ones. 

I don't believe there is anything wrong with purchasing new seeds, especially from organizations that preserve heirloom seeds. However, if you've purchased seed like I have you can end up with far more than you need or can use. Instead, consider new ways to use what you've got.

Just in time

I harvested my Tomatoes this week and NOW there is a chance of snow. Blessed!

Christmas Tomatoes!

I harvested most of the Tomatoes today, just in time before the cool winter weather arrives. God is good!

The race to March 15th

I've read that its recommended to start your tomatoes indoors eight to ten weeks before your last frost date. Since my last frost date is March 15th, that means January 4th at the earliest! Its ironic, but without knowing this I started my tomatoes on January 4th this year. Just because I was too excited to wait any longer. My problem was that I didn't get them into the ground quick enough. By the time March 15th rolled around we had what seemed like non-stop rain (and laziness). I finally got my tomatoes in the ground around mid April. Now I'm finally getting close to harvesting my first tomato .... in December. I believe I could fertilize much better this year around, but I also believe I need to plan for a March 1st transplant date in 2013. This means, I need to decide which varieties I'm growing over the next month.

What varieties are you considering for 2013?