I’ve started gardening for 2024! Yep, you read me right, I have started gardening.
We have a large variety of seeds, but I think many are so old they’re no longer viable. The only way to find out is to plant them, give them time and see what happens.
On January 31st, I planted 3 different lettuces in milk jugs. 2 weeks later, nada. I’m not giving up yet!
Next up, February 12th, I planted what need to be started inside – peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley and marigolds. I have two flats and three more milk jugs.
If these seeds aren’t viable and don’t sprout up, then I’ll plant more in another week or so or buy starts from a local blogger I found last year who is in my USDA zone.
I’ve marking my labels with the seed packet I’m using (brand, not just what the seed is). If they don’t sprout, I’ll throw that packet away.
After last year’s rather first attempt at a garden, we have amended the soil. Last year, we planted in dirt and hoped for the best. This year, we started in the fall by adding a couple of inches of fertile mulch, grass clippings and a light layer of leaves. Last month, I turned that over and raked it in together to help break up what had matted down. I will get more compost added to the garden before I start planting outside.
My goal for my 2023 garden was 50 pounds harvested and ended up with almost 100 pounds from the back yard. (Thankfully my husband had several types of berry plants planted years ago and a couple of apple trees.) My 2024 garden goal hasn’t fully been decided yet, but it will be over 100 pounds.
I’m happy to get to play in the dirt already!