What’s In the Garden: 2014

One of my first blog posts last spring just listed what was in our 2013 garden. I looked back at that post often when planning this summer’s garden.

Another great tool when designing this year’s garden was Mother Earth News Vegetable Garden Planner. It is a minimal yearly charge (Neither Adam or I could remember… maybe ten bucks?), but it keeps track of where plants were each year and will really help us in crop rotation.

It was super easy to use and kind of reminded me of playing The Sims. (Where are my late 90 kids at?!)

There are many different features that we still haven’t explored on the Garden Planner, but if it’s your first year gardening it may not be a bad thing for you to start too.

The garden planner was also a big help because this summer’s garden is three times the size as last year’s.

Yes… Adam and I understand that we are boarder line insane.

Here is what we have growing:

Strawberries: We planted the strawberry plants last year but knew we wouldn’t have any berries to show for it. Strawberry plants need a season before they really begin to produce a lot of fruit. This year we have a ton of strawberries! They are amazing. They have a great flavor and size. There will be more posts this week about our many strawberries.

Asparagus: We planted the roots this spring. They have just begun to pop up. Asparagus takes about three seasons before it matures and is ready to harvest.

Garlic: We planted 100 blubs last fall and after the very cold winter, we only had about ten make it. They will be ready in late summer. I am excited because I feel like I use garlic all the time when cooking. And, let’s be real, garlic is so good.

Brussels sprouts: This is something new we are trying. I love to cook Brussels sprouts. The plants are looking pretty good!

Zucchini: Super easy to grow and a staple for any summer garden. We have finished almost all of the zucchini I froze last summer so we will be ready for some replacements soon. Last year we grew yellow summer squash in addition to zucchini, but decided not to grow it this year.

Okra: These poor plants don’t look so great. It’s an experiment. I have not cooked with okra often either, so if they don’t work out we will survive.

Horseradish: Another plant that is an experiment. I am hoping it works out so we can make our own cocktail sauce!

Kale: A few heads were started from seedlings and they look good. A few more were planted right into the ground and are growing as well. I am excited to have kale for smoothies and salads.

Lettuce: We have many different kinds growing from mixes to Caesar heads, Mustard Greens Spinach and Arugula. Tonight we tried the arugula and mustard greens. Both were great. They both had a great little spicy kick. They will be awesome for adding dimensions to salads and sandwiches. It is seriously the best to have lettuce straight from the garden. Seriously.

Broccoli: These plants are still pretty small, but look okay. Broccoli from the backyard is typically smaller than what you see at the store. Broccoli is such a great veggie. I love to steam it and dress it with vinegar.

Cabbage: We had awful luck with cabbage last summer. They became infested with so many loopers and just were ruined. Here’s to better luck this year!

Cucumbers: I managed to kill the seedlings we had growing. They looked awful for weeks and I couldn’t understand what was going on and then Adam figured it out. I was using the tap water from the kitchen sink to water the seedlings. This sink is hooked up to the water softener so I was adding salt to the plants refreshments. The salt was building up in their stems preventing water and nutrients from getting to the plant. All the other plants were able to rebound after being put into the ground, but the cucumbers didn’t make it. I purchased starter plants from a woman who also sells turkeys, chickens and flowers out of her front yard on a nearby state road I drive on often for work.

Peas: These were one of my favorite last year. They are a great little snack and froze really well so we could add them to stir fry’s throughout the winter.

Green Beans: We planted a lot more than we did last year, but only about half of the beans look like they are doing well. Green Beans are planted directly into soil and it looks like the other half just never sprouted.

Peppers: We have green peppers and jalapenos. These are great for summer salads and salsas.

Beets: It’s our first time trying to grow beets and it’s hard to tell how they are doing because much of the activity goes on underground. Beets are great because they store well and I use them a lot.

Carrots: Another root vegetable that was planted right into the ground and hard to tell how they are doing so far. Carrots were probably my favorite thing from the garden last year. The taste difference between a fresh garden carrot and a bagged baby carrot is a world apart.

Spaghetti Squash: New to the garden this year! And, I can’t wait. Adam loves spaghetti squash. (Yes, Adam…!) We have cooked spaghetti squash many different ways, but it is just perfect with a little butter and S&P.

Radish: Another newbie and they are looking good.

Tomatoes: There are twenty two tomato plants gracing the garden this year with everything from cherry, beefsteak, grape, romas, etc, etc! I am really looking forward to canning. Adam’s Bloody Mary mix already has a waiting list.

Herbs in the Garden and in pots:

Basil… Duh. My fave.

Mint
Chives
Sage: New this year! I am excited! And, it looks great!
Thyme
Cilantro

Rosemary
Parsley

Oregano
Dill

Bonus! A little Fun Fact: I recently read that one in three America household’s are growing food. Amazing, right?! Love stats like that!

What do you have growing this year?