Thinking Spring – Gardening 2014

After recent sub zero temperatures and today’s recent warm-up I decided I was going to think spring and get a jump on ordering some new seeds for the garden.  I grabbed a couple of the seed catalogs that came in the mail the last couple months and decided to mix it up a bit.

For once I will be able to order my seed potatoes from the Maine Potato Lady.  I typically procrastinate and end up going with the generic Tractor Supply potatoes.  Now those potatoes have done ok, but I am hoping that I am selecting potatoes that will do well in our yard.  I also am going to try and pull of an early, mid-season, and late season potato harvest.  My gardening goal for 2014 is succession planting, so we will see if I can pull if off.  I decided on the following varieties of potatoes, all of which will be new to me this year:

• Sangre, an early red potato
• Kennebec, a mid-season tan skin potato
• German Butter Ball, a late season yellow potato

For new seeds from the Seed Savers Exchange I am replacing a couple good varieties that I ran out of and I will also be experimenting with some new varieties as well.

• Golden Midget Watermelon (1107) – this is a new one and will be my second attempt at growing watermelons.
• Jalapeno (1526A) – We enjoyed jalapeno’s on the grill so much last year I figured this year I would try growing some plants from seed.
• Yellow of Parma Onion (1347) – This is an experiment, I have not had a lot of luck with onion sets, so this year I am going to try starting them from seed.
• Winter Density Lettuce (1523A) – Last year was a lettuce disaster, I have not had success growing lettuce so I am going to try growing one variety only and working on succession plantings.
• A & C Pickling Cucumber(1865A) – I missed the success we had with this variety in the past when I did not buy more of this variety after running out the previous year.
• Scarlet Nantes Carrot (1358) – Another new carrot for us to try.
• Danvers Carrots (0357A) – A tried an true carrot for us.
• Shirofumi (1188A) – Another experiment for us, basically trying to see if we can grow our own Edamame, we will see.
• Provider Green Bean (1505A) We had a lot of luck with beans last year, hoping we can  have continued luck.

With the new year I am thinking spring, hopefully I can get the garden plans nailed down ahead of Sugaring season so we can have a seamless transition instead of the hurried panic we had last year.