RAISED BED GARDEN CLEAN OUT BEFORE THE WINTER SNOW ; WHAT WORKED, WHAT DIDN’T, AND WHAT I’LL DO DIFFERENT NEXT YEAR!
Early November I spent the time cleaning out the garden and getting it ready for planting season next year. As I pulled spent plants, frosted tender herbs, and sunflower stalks I reflected on what produces, what was a waste of time and money, and what didn’t do well because of bug infestation.
Why waste time, money, and garden space for things that just aren’t working for me? I love the idea of having a variety of things in the garden and I love walking out the kitchen door to pick what we need for dinner but some things just didn’t work out.
Here’s a list of the things I planted. I’m crossing out what didn’t work, and telling you why. Even though I really want these vegetables to work I’m being realistic and its more profitable to buy them from the farmers market for our household. I may as well use the raised bed garden space I have for planting things that are prolific producers.
So this is what I’ve narrowed it down too and will focus on planting next year. I knew if I didn’t come up with a plan right after I cleared the garden I wouldn’t remember what I needed to plant next year.
I do have to say that volunteer winter squash plant that sprouted up was the best producer of the garden. One plant yielded over 30 dumpling squash. I’m so excited with that it’s our favorite squash and I have them stored in our cool basement to use all winter long.
SEED
- GREEN BEAN
CARROT– I planted these in a crate and they never developed.CUCUMBER– My hubby’s favorite veggie that I plant every year but they never produce enough to matter.- PEAS
- PUMPKIN
- RADISH
WATERMELON– One developed but never matured before frost.- WINTER SQUASH
PLANT
- BROCCOLI – I’m on the fence with this it was an average producer.
CABBAGE– They did produce but I had a terrible cabbage moth problem.CAULIFLOWER– Not a big enough producer for the cost of the plant.POTATO– Too cheap to buy in the store to bother with planting.- TOMATO
- ZUCHINNI
- PEPPERS
HERB PLANTS
- BASIL
- CILANTRO
- DILL
- LAVENDAR
- LEMON BALM
- MINT
- PARSLEY
- ROSEMARY
- THYME
FLOWER SEEDS
- SUNFLOWER SEEDS
- ZINNIAS
- MARIGOLDS
So I did scratch a few things off my list but overall I was happy with the produce we got. I know rain and sunshine are a factor too so things may change next year depending on Michigans ever changing summers. This year was a cool summer I’ll have to make a mental note of that and factor that in to next years plants too.
EASY TO MAKE HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS:
VANILLA EXTRACT: click here to get the recipe!
ELDERBERRY SYRUP: click here to get the recipe!
Do you have a fence somewhere around your garden? I didn’t see any in the photos, but surely you must have a lot of deer in your area.
Erika, No fence I plant herbs they don’t like and marigolds inside the raised boxes and that keeps the deer away.
In Indiana, I even had a problem this year with something that flies eating all the top leaves and blossoms of my tomato plants as soon as new growth emerged. Have never had the problem before and hope to never again. I refuse to scratch tomatoes off of my list – they are my favorite to grow. It seems that each year is different – some things I get too much of (leaf lettuce and zucchini) and some not enough of (carrots and sweet peppers). Nature is NOT consistent in our area, that’s for sure.
Pat, I was so surprised I had just the right amount of zucchini this year, how in the world did that happen, zucchini is the ever producing plant that I normally get sick of. LOL
Great ideas Dawn….Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow~~
Jeanie hope your Thanksgiving was filled with great food, family and friends.