Garden Preparation: October to December
Every time I look at the now mostly cleared beds I think a little about crop rotations for next year and what I really, really want to plant. What tends actually to solidify next year's plan, however, is where I decide now to plant next year's garlic crop. Once that deed is done, everything else seems to fall into place.
Usually, after staring at the now mostly cleared beds, I look up my planting scheme from last spring, then sketch the outlines of the beds and start penciling in the possible location of crops. Looking at my old plan also reminds me about this season's "experiments." This year those experiments focused on trying over half a dozen heirloom tomato varieties, and I would characterize the effort as producing rather mixed results. I tried Amish paste, striped German, Aussie, Brandywine and Cherokee purple. Of the lot, my favorite was the Amish paste. Its fruit was large and tasty, and the plants seemed to be more resistant to the usual garden pathogens. The other varieties simply did not like this year's growing season. Their yields were low. and they succombed early to diseases.
My standard tomatoes, Celebrity and the plumb, Juliet, fared much better throughout this very wet season than any of the heirlooms with respect both to yields and disease resistance. Given the constraints of my garden and rotation needs, I have decided to reduce the amount of space to be devoted to tomatoes next year and just stick with a few plants of my two old favorites. This also means that I will be expanding some other favorite crops... As a friend consoled me when I commented that I will be making less sauce, "Remember, tomatoes are cheap to buy by the can."
My standard tomatoes, Celebrity and the plumb, Juliet, fared much better throughout this very wet season than any of the heirlooms with respect both to yields and disease resistance. Given the constraints of my garden and rotation needs, I have decided to reduce the amount of space to be devoted to tomatoes next year and just stick with a few plants of my two old favorites. This also means that I will be expanding some other favorite crops... As a friend consoled me when I commented that I will be making less sauce, "Remember, tomatoes are cheap to buy by the can."
Book Recommendations: Two to get you thinking about what you really want to do
Are you tempted by the idea of getting closer to the earth by expanding your vegetable garden into a farm or perhaps getting 4 - 6 chickens to fill your backyard instead of investing in a small, yelpy dog? Here are two books that you might want to consult before jumping at either idea.
First, there is Eliot Coleman's classic, The New Organic Grower. Orginally published in 1989, NOG probably has probably motivated a wave of people during the 1990's to return to the land and start growing healthy food. The book is about small scale agriculture, small farms of 5 acres or so, and for prospective growers on very slim budgets. His austere approach, however, also applies to those of us who also might just want to dig up a little more turf to grow an extra tomato or two.The content covers site selection, tools and equipment, buildings as well basic growing techniques, hiring help, marketing and sales. Coleman emphasizes that those contemplating either farming or expanding a garden should first be able to state clearly "why they want to do it." Personal commitment and deligence, of course, are required; but keeping that goal foremost in mind is an important sustaining factor given the full time effort and persevering spirit that farming at any level requires.
Philosphically, Coleman espouses an underlying faith in nature (or what I call, horticultural grace) in that seeds put in the ground generally tend to grow. His techniques reinforce the best of nature's ways. He recommends many traditional long and short handle tools as well as classics like that old, single wheel cultivator stored behind the snow tires in the back of the garage. The only missing component is how to get the "seed money" to get started... and that hurdle, if one figures that out, might be a good indicator that the new "homesteader" has a decent chance at making a go of it but someone should keep a day job...
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Anyone thinking about getting any of these critters and lacking first hand experience should get this book. In fact, even if you are not inclined to harbor any kind of farm animal, you will benefit from reading this book because it will instill an appreciation for what farmers with animals, dairymen, ranchers, beekeepers and 4Hers do day-in and day-out.
For each type of farm animal, the book covers space and housing requirements, nutrition, breeding and health issues. Basic instruction is also provided in how to intervene in calving when a cow is showing signs of a stressed labor, how to butcher a hog or rabbit as well as how to milk a goat. You will also see what records to keep for each animal and how to administer various drugs. Reading this book might just keep you from jumping into the deep end of the pool too soon.
And remember...
"Farming is the profession of hope." - Brian Brett