Since we started gardening seriously, we have kept a journal with all kinds of garden information…What types of seeds we order, first and last frost dates, planting dates, harvesting dates, proactive pest-prevention (all organic, of course), nutrients and fertilizers we have used, compost and compost tea we have made…everything that goes into our garden goes into our journal. If you garden, I cannot recommend enough that you journal! Make it yours, draw, write, doodle, glue…whatever you are “drawn” to (sorry…), but do it! You won’t regret it, and the future-you will be so thankful that past-you took notes!
Every year as winter comes to a close, we enjoy sitting down to map out our spring garden, to sketch out a promise of new life, of bountiful nutrients for our family and friends. One day, when we expand beyond our micro farm into a full produce farm, these sketches will surely span for pages. For now, here is what we do, and I hope this may help our readers get a plan going for your spring garden!
If you have not started seeds indoors for transplanting, don’t despair! Simply find out your hardiness zone, and procure the appropriate seedlings. In Southwest Virginia (zone 6b), broccoli seedlings should already be in, and pepper and tomato seedlings should be going in within the next few weeks. We also did potatoes this year, and those went in at the end of March. If you haven’t started these seeds, support a local greenhouse or nursery during these trying times, a lot of them are doing curbside pick up! Stay safe and get your veggies planted! Next up, start seeding squash, pumpkins, watermelons, all the crawlers. In a couple weeks, it will be time to direct sow corn and beans. We are planning a version of the Native American three sisters this year…Corn, beans, and crawlers (squash varieties, melon varieties, and pumpkins). The corn acts as a shade for the crawlers, and a trellis for the climbers (beans). It is a gorgeous, symbiotic garden!
Crump Family Farms 