In all, it was a successful gardening year, although it left me realizing just how much potential went unfulfilled. Given that my approach is still experimental and amateurish, this is not a source of significant anxiety, but it did leave me wanting more.
SUCCESSES:
The Tomato Row. Instead of clustering plants, I put them in one of the front rows, and this allowed for a continual source of varietals. We feasted on Cherokee Purples, Sunny Boys, and Jaune Flamees all summer. The determinate Orange Blossom variety gave us early tomatoes, and the Mortgage Lifters took the longest to mature. I will plant a couple more plants this next year, but the basic shape has now taken hold.
Peppers. I planted bell peppers that did beautifully, although I needed more plants. I really need a row of about six to make it work properly. Hot peppers seem to grow more fruitfully, although this year my jalepeno plant did not take.
Herbs. I got excellent use of my peppermint, spearmint (second year), oregano (second year), thyme, sage, cilantro, parsley, and lemonbalm. Chives were particularly helpful. More herb bushes in general need to be planted. As does garlic.
FAILURES:
My silver edge thyme was pretty, but useless as an herb.
My sweet olive tomatoes did not produce. I should probably replenish the soil in the spot and plant two grapes there, or perhaps a roma plant along with a grape plant.
Romas, actually, are a necessity I need to follow up on. We are on the verge of needing to make our own tomato sauce for use in all kinds of dishes. I should probably plant two roma plants this year, one in each of the "planters" to go along with the grape and cherry varieties. OR, I should consider committing several spots to determinate romas and then pulling the plants after they bloom and replanting a second summer crop.
No beans. I have all the capability to plant pole beans. I should do it. We eat green beans all the time. Twice a week on average.
Variety. On this last point, it would be nice to have a little more variety from the garden. More beans, more lettuce. In fact, I have never successfully planted lettuce. Time to start afresh this spring.
