Here at the Trough, the end of the year marks the beginning of our growing season. This is our time to plan our garden and get organized, and to eagerly sort through all the new year’s seed catalogs. While we may purchase a few select plants later in the year from other local growers, most of what is grown on our farm will be started from seed. Not only does this allow us a cost effective way to grow a large number of plants, it also lets us grow a much more varied selection. We prefer to source from farms within our same growing region to ensure that the varieties we are choosing are well adapted for our area. Also, whenever possible, we look to purchase organic seeds and favor heirloom varieties.
Perennials
Once we have our seed varieties chosen, we start to make a plan for the season. First, we map out our growing area with what is already in place. Next, any new fruit trees we are planning to add later in the spring get their space reserved. We have chosen to outline our growing areas with trees in hopes that they will create a bit of a wind block as they grow.
Next, we look at any perennials we are adding. For us, perennials need to be placed in the areas that stay driest during the winter months. No matter how great our plan for drainage is, we still receive an average of almost 70″ of rain a year. The 2016/17 winter was fairly incredible, with 84″+ just from Oct 1 through the end of April. Yikes! Also, we like to incorporate perennials into our landscape whenever possible. Some plants will hold their foliage year round, while others die back to the ground. Any time we are planning our layout, we try to keep this in mind so that we can create a pleasing landscape year round.
Another factor for where we place perennials is our desire to use a winter cover crop to improve our soils. This means that in the spring, we need to be able to get equipment into our growing space to cut and till that crop in. Therefore, any plants that I want to keep alive and upright need to be kept far from the path of the tractor tires.
Annuals
Annuals require the most planning time for us, as the varieties we choose vary from year to year. Watering requirements, soil preference, height, and many other factors influence our layout. We look at what worked last year as well as what could have worked better and why. Food crops that will supplement our animals should be planted near their pens, or at least should be easy to load into the trailer for delivery to them. Plant varieties that prefer to be direct seeded early in the season need to go where the soil is driest. Plants that get started a bit later, such as corn or pumpkins, can go in the wetter sections. By then, the ground will have dried up a bit and been able to be prepped. These types of factors will vary for each farm or garden. You alone know what your goals and needs are, and therefore how to best utilize your area. Take notice year round of the condition of your soil. Does one area stay wet all winter? Does another area dry out too much in summer? Also, are you looking for season long production or a large yield all at once? This will all influence your garden planning.
When planning for succession crops, we need to know how much space in the row to reserve for future plantings. We start our transplants inside anywhere from the beginning of February through May, and direct seed additional plants as the soil warms and weather allows. Flexibility is key here as our spring season can be crazy. Being organized and sticking with a plan early in the season means that we will have consistent yields through the following months.
Companion planting plays a role in our design too. Whenever possible we like to minimize our work load by planting beneficial plants together. Some plants help to deter pests, while others might help by increasing growth or enhancing flavor. Nasturtiums are both beautiful and edible, and have the additional value of repelling aphids, potato bugs, squash bugs and certain beetles. Oregano also is great at deterring insect pests. Following those same lines, we avoid planting varieties close together that could have a negative effect. For instance, dill can help improve the flavor of cabbage family plants, but should be kept away from carrots. There are many charts that can be found online to sort out which plants get along and which should be kept separate.
Warm season crops such as tomatoes or peppers need a bit of extra help in a climate like ours. Not only should they be started indoors early, but should get some extra attention once they are transitioned outside. Not everyone has a greenhouse available, but there are other options. Planting alongside a building can be a great solution as heat can be reflected off the walls back to the plant. Mini greenhouses, grow tunnels or cold frames can offer shelter from winds, fluctuating temps, and rainfall. A row of sunflowers can be a great wind block for fragile plants, as well as encouraging pollinators. Whatever your situation, find ways to make it work for you.
Which design style you choose for your garden is simply a personal preference. Whether you use a traditional row system, square foot gardening, or prefer a wilder cottage style, raised beds, or even if it’s simply a few pots on a balcony, it should be a system that is pleasing to you, accessible, and reflect your goals and abilities. While you won’t want to be disturbing any permanent elements of your garden more often than necessary, your plan can change from year to year. Experiment. Find what works best for you. But no matter what design or layout you use, make sure you keep records. This is one of the hardest parts for busy gardeners, but also one of the most beneficial. Map out your area. Keep records of what perennials you have where, as plant markers fade or disappear over time. Did something work really well last year and you want to replicate it again? Or, did you have an epic fail that you would like to avoid repeating? Last year my nasturtiums completely overtook my elephant garlic and drowned them out without me noticing. This year, I will make adjustments to avoid that. Of course, there will be new mistakes made this year. That is inevitable, but is simply part of the learning process.
So in the meantime, enjoy your winter. Grab some seed catalogs and a cup of coffee and cozy up inside. Sketch out your garden dimensions and start dreaming. And if you have any tips to share, we would love to hear them!