When I was gardening in a zone 4, sixty day season, I swore at river-bed bottom cemented gravels, cursed at snow-storms in May, and became the mad hatter paranoid deer chaser. Despite all adversity I discovered I was a pretty darn good gardener. My last harvest at our home in the Cascade Mountains yielded me 3 bushels of Roma tomatoes, a pantry full of canned vegetables, and most of all the satisfaction of doing it myself!
Fast forward to present day, we’ve relocated after a bit of travel and are now located in one of Western Washington’s fertile river valleys. We are starting a vegetable garden in dream Zone 7 for the purpose of self reliance, an earth science unit study, and for fun family bonding. I am ecstatic.
Daughter D and I have been pouring over our seed catalogues as we watch the more normal Western Washington rain melt the unusual winter wonderland we were treated to over Christmas. We are taking notes, using highlighters, and doing cost comparisons. Analyzing varieties, yields, and maturity rates, I am getting feverish with anticipation. Sunset Magazine says I have an almost 6 month growing season, OMG! Succession planting, companion planting, raised beds vs. rows, cool vs. hot crops, short vs. long crops, rotation, cover, and always organic are all thoughts flying through my head like June-bugs. D is getting into this a bit too, but so far she is not looking side to side out of slanted eyes or licking her lips in anticipation for her first Zone 7 cantaloupe. She is seven of course and says “This is going to be cool, Mom” as she trots away to play with her Pokemon.
With that melancholy remark and the temporary loss of my assistant; I drag myself momentarily back to reality. With all things business I know I must start with a plan; complete with objectives, a budget, timelines and a SWOT list.
I’ll be back with one……
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