glad it's spring

I have always threatened to keep a gardening journal so I can remember what I do from year to year. This time I am going to do it, because I can keep it on the computer rather than on paper!

It is already March 23, and I've done a bit to start the process this year. At my old house, I had a raised bed garden for two years with topsoil that I purchased and brought in, and I used railroad ties to keep it closed in. Now we have moved. Last summer we had just moved, so it was too late to put in a new garden, so I grew tomatoes in pots, which was actually very successful. I didn't think it would work too well, but it did!

This summer I plan to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, lettuce and squash. I am going to use raised beds again, only this time I am going to use cinder blocks instead of railroad ties. I can lift cinder blocks, and they don't leach creosote into the soil. I haven't bought the blocks yet; have to wait on a cash influx. Anyway, there's nothing ready to plant yet, so I'm okay.

As for the dirt, I am going to try a new mixture. Before I got a load of dirt, basic topsoil. I mixed that with some manure and fertilized it through the summer. I am now of the opinion that if you feed your soil, you will have good plants. I am not going to spend money on chemical fertilizers. I am going to try a mixture of sand (I need better drainage), compost and peat moss. Yep--no actual dirt. The topsoil I bought last time had so many weed seeds in there, I was getting weeds I'd never even seen before! (and no, they weren't plants!)

I'm also going to try planting some complimentary plants that will hopefully reduce or eliminated the need for pesticides. Agastanthe (I think it's called) will attract wasps and bees, and marigolds will ward of some bad insects....can't remember which one. I also believe that if the plants are really healthy (because of good soil) they will resist disease better.

I also need to make SURE that this year I know the difference between mites and aphids...that keeps tripping me up!!

So anyway, I'm going to try to avoid pesticides this year. Not promising an organic garden, but I'll try for it.