Tuesday, February 24, 2015

embracing small....our edible garden plans for 2015

I'm not gonna lie.  I've been struggling with mapping out the veggies this year as I've been working very hard to embrace small plot gardening.  You'd think I'd have a grip on this by now as I have mastered (kind of) living in a 1600 square foot house with 3 kids.  The truth of it all is that my dream of having a rocking huge yard to grow every kind of fruit and vegetable possible still lingers around in my head especially when I come across gardens like this.....

via~myrevelment 

Dreams aside, and life in the now brings me to what vegetables I'm going to grow this year.  I find it very overwhelming to map out what veggies I want to grow so making a visual collage always helps me stay focused when seed and plant shopping.  Here is what's going in....



Peppers
Peas
Carrots 
Tomatoes-heirloom and cherry {cherry tomatoes in pots}
Salad {pots}
Cucumbers
Yellow Crookneck Squash {seeds from here...Seeds Of Change}
Eggplant  {pots}
Pole Beans {over my arbor}


I will be purchasing many of my seeds this year  from
All Good Things Organic Seeds.  

Via~Mano Farm

Now to save on space many of my vegetables will be going in pots as I have listed above.  Not in the list above are all of my herbs.  They always go in containers and those include.....

Basil
Parsley
Mint
Chives

Other edibles I have growing in containers are Autumn Bliss raspberries and strawberries.

The two plots I constructed for this season are each 4 by 6 feet so I will have room for my climbers in the far north bed {cucumbers and peas}.  





The Victory Gardens of the past always inspire me when dealing with my small plot.  It's amazing what you can create with a vision! 


So that's the start of the endless planning and mapping for the upcoming season...but my brain wouldn't have it any other way!  

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing Friends!


61 comments:

  1. It all sounds pretty good, hope it all turned out for you, I planted a lot last year some took off some died.
    Merle...............

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  2. So nice being able to eat freshly frown vegetables. My vege garden is on the end of summer decline, i need to do some serious work in it, and get the small part which gets winter sun ready for planting my winter seedlings.

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  3. Your selection of veggies to grow looks wonderful. I've never seen a crookneck squash before and I'd love to grow a tomato as big as that one on the packet! Your plots look lovely and clear, all ready and waiting. Happy sowing! x

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  4. Good plans!

    I have very good experiences of growing herbs and tomatoes (in pots) in my own little garden. And their taste is wonderful

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  5. So looking forward to the growing season I love to grow something. Maybe I could send you some of my favourite veg seeds thats I like to grow and varieties from England x

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  6. Just found this link after visiting you http://messyla.typepad.com1/messyla-blog/2015/02/the-garden-house-seeds-and-what-you-sows-seed-swap.html its for a seed swap I just joined x

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  7. I am in the same situation Nicole - I am not quite sure what I will be growing this year either - my brain seems to have frozen along with the winter weather! I grow a lot in pots and containers too and am always amazed at just how much produce you can produce from a small space. Hope all your plans come to fruition and looking forward to seeing the end results.

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  8. I dream of a garden like the top photo too. At the moment I go with what is manageable, especially now that I'm working part time. I find that some of the things I really want to grow like broccoli and cauliflower just don't take, so I'm learning to go with what grows well and vegetable swap with other gardeners. Good luck with your plantings xo

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  9. Hello Nicole,

    It is surprising how bountiful a small plot can be. And, no matter how few the final results will be, the taste of home grown vegetables will make it all worthwhile.

    We have always been flower rather than vegetable gardeners but we did set aside space for a small kitchen garden. Runner beans were a favourite as they take up little space and are very ornamental. In addition, picked young, they are truly delicious. Herbs in pots are a great idea since they can be easily replenished with new plants as older plants become exhausted.

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  10. I also only can dream of a plot as on the first picture, it´s a wonderful spot with the trees on the background, but I´m glad we are happy with what we have. You have chosen a nice collection, peas take lots of space I think, but nevertheless it so nice to show the Beans how all the different vegetables grow and taste of course. Nowadays I also grow salads and herbs in pots.
    Wish you a wonderful day!

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  11. Love that last photo. I always seem to be trying to cram things in as well. Let's hope for a good growing season. Not long until those seeds will need to be planted. CJ xx

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  12. ummm,, can i visit you and stay in your garden? :p
    i can't wait to see how it turns out. i am jealous of your garden already. have a great week, Nicole!

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  13. You have such wonderful positive posts. Looks like a nice plan to me.

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  14. Lovely post, it's always a struggle with a smaller plot & the dream to grow more! My paternal grandfather dug over his garden during World War 2 & kept chickens at the same time. Hope you have a great week.xx

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  15. Wow! Very ambitious. Makes me tired just thinking about it, lol!

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  16. I haven't mapped mine either and I have similar veggies and herbs to grow. I found it was best to start small and added more as I mastered what I had grown, but everyone is different. I love your beds and remember when you created these.

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  17. sounds amazing. i am sort of overwhelmed and don't really know where to start. my husband got me a gardening book for v-day :) and i've been pinning things but right now i feel like i have a ton of information that isn't consolidated and floating around everywhere disorganized, which i guess is contributing to the feeling of being overwhelmed. i'm planning to plan and plot too soon. i want to grow tomatoes but i'm terrified! i heard so many hardships with them but i love tomatoes and would love to grow my own. i'm definitely going to look into the place you're buying your seeds from! thanks for the info!

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  18. Very inspiring....we've been wanting to plant a garden for several years and living on the gulf coast of Texas many things need to be planted now but it is a bit chilly to be digging beds right now. I suppose we should have done that last fall.

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  19. Great veggie choices and your garden bed looks good; very cool that you built that yourself! I think you'll be quite successful this year!! Exciting! I'll be planting veggies I can't find at the farmers' market, like shelling peas. Otherwise, the fresh produce around here is some of the best I've ever had so my veggies will come from the local farmers. I've found that it isn't the best use of the garden season and my garden space to grow tomatoes when the farmers' tomatoes ripen in July and mine ripen in August. They have more sun, more space and more pollinators. Maybe I'll change my mind later on because it is still fun to grow veggies even if it isn't efficient and productive.

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  20. I have the same dreams, for sure. My trial of pots in the driveway last year worked out pretty well, so will most likely be going that route again this year. Ya know, until I have the garden space that's in your first photo. :) BTW, nothing in the mail yet, but I'm anxiously waiting!

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  21. You are on a roll! I wish my season production looked like that last picture!! That would be amazing! I love your style and how you maximize the space you have. Wanna come visit me and re-do my house? :)

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  22. I know a lot of people get stressed at the planning stage, including me. I should be enjoying it when it is the precursor to one of my favourite activities. One key I think is to keep it simple. Nice you will be able to sit on your deck and admire your kitchen garden.

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  23. I can just hear the wheels turning! lol. Glad that you are using a lot of containers, sure works for small spaces. You would be surprised how much produce can come from a small plot. Any canning in your future?

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  24. Your vegetable beds look very neat and tidy. You can grow a lot of food on that much space. I have never had luck with peas.

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  25. I bet that even beginning to envision and plan out your vegetable garden must be such a fun challenge. Your selections look amazing too! Nothing beats good home grown produce. I'm thinking of starting a little herb garden on our terrace this year. My husband will probably end up tending to it. He hasn't accused me of a black thumb but he has said it's better for our plants if he cares for them haha.

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  26. Hi Nicole, I can sympathize! We own plenty of land but much of it is wooded so we don't have a lot of space left to garden. I'm considering growing veggies on an obelisk but need to research more. I believe it was a technique used by some Native Americans.....Happy Gardening!

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  27. I think you have a great plan. I understand how you feel because my yard isn't good for growing much of anything edible. We tried for years and it never amounted to much, so we've finally just accepted it. But I think that if it were even a little more workable, we'd still be trying because it's something we'd really love to be able to do. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress this year.

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  28. There are a lot of idea on my mind to make over my little garden. Your pictures are inspiring me. I think I needs time to prepare especially time and budget. Happy gardening, friend!

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  29. I was hoping you would post something like this. I want to grow some veggies this year, but will probably have to make raised beds. We have lots of wild animals. I really need to look into ideas, because our way of life is no where near The Victory Garden route - very sad. It seems like a lot of people have no idea just how much better organic food taste when you grown it yourself or buy from a Farmers Market. It's night and day.

    I actually bought some parsley seeds (Seeds of Change) to grow inside. K loves parsley and is so excited to grow it. (This is one of our homeschooling projects next month).

    Thanks for sharing, Nicole! I am looking forward to watching your garden blossom. :D

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  30. Maybe if I had a plan I would be better at getting a garden done, I love how you are mapping it out with photos, that is so smart, I am very visual and that appeals to me! I love how you laid out the plots too, it looks pretty!

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  31. Remember, whatever you grow this year, you can grow different things next year, so don't worry about it being perfect! I do hope that one day you get your dream great big garden to grow all kinds of things in!! xx

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  32. It is really amazing how much food can be grown in small places, and growing in very large pots has worked well for me with tomatoes and sweet peppers, eggplant. I have caught myself always buying too many seeds-cause they all look so good-smart of you to have a plan-now if spring would just get here lol

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  33. Your garden will look amazing whatever which way it grows my friend! You have so much vision... I too have big plans for our garden but it may be the next century by the time we get around to it! Your smallhold is going to come on leaps and bounds before you know it!! Hazel x

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  34. Ohhhhhhhh - I want to live in that first photo! Love your little victory garden space, ready to go, though. I know it will be fruitful, because you've got that touch! XOXO

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  35. Looks great--love the collage! We really need to get going planning ours....there's still a bit of snow on the ground, but it's going to be in the 60's this weekend, so it's definitely time!

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  36. Great selection of veggies. I can't wait to see your progress as I know it's going to be fabulous!

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  37. Nicole....my friend did something in her small backyard last year that I am going to try this year. She got an old wooden ladder and on each step put a rectangular plastic box which she screwed in. She planted her lettuce; peppers; green onions, etc. in this style. She said it also helped keep the critters at bay. Happy gardening....soon....very soon. Cheers, xoxoxo

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  38. Nice plans. I love location of the first garden !

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  39. Your garden sounds like it's going to be lovely!

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  40. I'm having trouble this year as well. Being that I changed things and I think I planted to many flowers it took vegetable space.. I'm trying to figure out how to change things because they say you shouldn't plant the same things in the same place as the year before Hummm well good luck to us both my biggest problem is my tomatoes with love Janice

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  41. I am sure you can do something amazing even with your small space Nicole. The garden is really nicely situated. I am sure the beans are going to have so much fun planting the seeds.

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  42. Small is beautiful and can be amazingly productive! It's always exciting to see tiny little seeds grow and thrive into big leafy edible things. We have lots of misfires and successes but we all are such optimists in the spring! It's the most exciting time of the year!! Have a great weekend!

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  43. I love all your photos and that garden at the top is so nice. I'm afraid I'm not a very good gardener though I seem to grow vegetables a little better than I grow the flowers :-)

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  44. Oh, I think small is best - think of all that weeding in a large garden! Here I have 5 acres and I still don't have a veggie garden....too many critters. I love your small plots all neatly laid out with the pavers - so pretty and so French! You are so inspiring, Nicole - 3 little ones, a beautiful home and a lovely yard. I can't wait to see your tasty garden growing - I'm sure it will be beautiful and the kiddos are going to love it! xo K

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  45. It's true, with a small space one needs to get creative to fit lots in! I've seen hanging baskets with trailing strawberry plants in them and I want some now. Those squash look brilliant, never seen that type before! xx

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  46. I've been hibernating lately with my head in a book or quilting and haven't been checking my email much. This is a great post. I've also been preparing for a Master Gardener presentation to my retired teacher buddies in a few weeks as well and the title of my presentation is "Planning a Great Garden." You could give this presentation, Lady! You've covered all the basics and have a great plan!!! The only thing I might add is a soil test. If you haven't done one lately, they can give you great information and are readily available at your local university extension office. Tomorrow is March 1st. Hopefully spring will be here VERY soon! I can hardly wait!! Happy planning, my friend!!

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  47. How exciting to have the gardens to look forward to for Spring! So sad that I don't have anywhere but the middle of the yard to have a vegetable plot for sun and that won't even work! I have to rely on local farmers markets.

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  48. I have been absent a bit - hand and computer issues.

    Look up this website - montecitourbanfarms.com

    We ate at a restaurant that grows most of their food in the towers. We also have friends with very little space who grow a lot of their food in these towers. They are always bringing us surplus veggies.

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  49. Oh, I just loving visiting your blog :)

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  50. I am dying to get on the veggie patch but it is still too soft and moussy here. You have some fab plans, I will be checking in to see how you get on of course. I might have vegetable envy! Jo x

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  51. You can grow veggies in pots, too. Carrots do especially well. Your garden will be awesome! :o)

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  52. That firs picture - garden of my dreams too!!! But still such a long way off. SIGH. I love that edibles are going into your garden - nothing like eating homegrown. I think your family will enjoy it so much

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  53. Oh I wish I could garden, I love all the green...I can't wait to see the garden in full bloom this summer, and to eat a salad from that garden would be divine!! Happy almost spring!!

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  54. Oh my!! That last black and white photo has me all a frizzle. How I hope we get the weather this year and loads of energy to grow tend and gobble such bounty xx

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  55. I know you are going to make a great go of your veggie patch this summer Nicole! I admire your enthusiasm, and I'll bet your kids are going to be excited when they see the things that grow right there in their garden :)
    Wendy

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  56. Hi Nicole, so happy you stopped by to visit me dear. I will also be coming back to check yr garden plans. I love gardening also and just moved to our Ouse which has Jo yard yet. It should be fun to build our garden and watch it grow. Can't wait to see your plans grow in to reality :)

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  57. I bet it will be fantastic and you will get bucketloads of veg out of it!
    In the UK Thompson & Morgan do 'TomTato' plants which are tomatoes above the soil and potatoes below! They are for limited spaces. I have not grown them, but apparently both are tasty!

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  58. Love the vintage photo--she has quite the harvest! All the best in your plans for a garden this year. Since we live in the country, we actually are blessed with room for huge gardens--and we put the space to good use. It does take a lot of weeding though!

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  59. This is such a wonderful idea (and one of my dreams, too). I grew up with a massive garden that had everything. At the moment my own one is tiny, so I can only grow herbs (tried strawberries, but birds ate most of them) and flowers. And I love this wonderful feeling of "connecting" with nature, too. x

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  60. I like your backyard, Nicole. The beds you created are nicely edged. I too have been planning for garden season. I have all my seeds and have ordered some roses and clematis. I will be ordering a couple of hydrangeas, and purchasing some annuals as well. Good luck with your garden this year!

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  61. How exciting to be planning your veggie garden!! small plots are fantastic... my dad's garden is massive like the one in the picture, but it is a lot of work- easily overtaken by weeds... not sure i could manage one that large! goodness it grows a huge amount of veggies though!

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