We're back!!!

It's that time of year again! Even though it's still cold and the rain is coming down spring is right around the corner and there is so much to be done to get our garden up and going for the year.

Last year we had great plans of expanding our garden throughout our backyard, but the dogs had other plans. This year a new fence will be installed prior to bed prep.

I have already done my seed research and here is a list of what we plan to see in the garden by spring/summer (please note we have found heirloom varieties for everything we want to grow this year):

Tomatoes:

• Black Giants
• Cherokee Chocolate
• Arkansas Traveler
• Aurora

Peas:

• Shelling: Alderman Pole Pea
• Sugar Snap: Super Sugar Snap

Zucchini: Golden Zucchini

Corn:

• Golden Bantam
• Japanese Popcorn

Romain: Jerico (this is a cold weather and warm weather. If planted in the next few weeks we can have this by spring and then replant in August for a winter crop)

Spinach: Strawberr/Beatberry (this isn't actually spinach but great warm/hot weather sub)

Cabbage: All Season Cabbage (this won't do as well in summer here, but if planted soon we can see quite a lot for spring and then again for winter. We can make all sorts of canned goodies with this.)

Cucumbers:

• Pickling: Snow Fancy
• Regular: Cucumber mix (lemon, American and Straight)

Leeks: Mussel burgh (this is also a warm weather/cold weather crop. If planted soon we can have leeks for spring and then again for winter)

Cantaloupe: Northern Arizona (This is not a cantaloupe. But it's flavor is similar)

Beans: Anasazi Bush Bean

Strawberry: Alpine

Sunflower: Mammoth

Peppers: Jalapenos/Early/Hot

Radishes: Mix for various colors and also making this an all season

Tomatillo

• Toma Verde (which is what you typically see)
• Purple de Milpa (beautiful purple color)

Herbs:

• Basil
• Borage
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Chamomile
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Sage
• Cumin
• Lemon Balm
• Mint
• Savory

Quite the list! I am studying the Grow Bio intensive method this year because it really helps keep your soil alive. Good living soil helps a good living garden.

We still have 3 of our 5 chickens. We lost 2 of them due to the freezing weather we had a few weeks ago. They just couldn't take it. It was a sad loss.

I will try to update weekly if not more frequently as we progress or I learn something new.