Planting is just about finished! Just the squash and cucs that need to be seeded after the last two gardens are dug/tilled. Such a good feeling!
In the fall I set a few gardening goals in the posts I’m a Planner and Gearing Up for Gardening. Surprisingly, I am already well on my way to meeting most of them. It seems like ages ago I set these goals, so I’m really impressed with myself that I continue to work toward meeting them. It will certainly pay off in the end…in the form of full bellies!
1. Keep a garden journal. This is underway and going well. I’ve documented when I’ve planted and transplanted all parts of my garden. I’ve also documents fun facts like when seedlings sprouted or when my tomatoes got true leaves. I hope to be able to look back next year and see if I (and my plants) are on track or maybe even ahead of the game!
2. Add two more garden plots. Wayyyy ahead of the game on this one! Three plots are dug and planted and one is measured out and ready to be dug. I guess I forgot that I only had a goal of two? Thank goodness we actually added four though, because I’ll need the space for all the new things I’m growing this year! I already know next years goal will be to box them in with 4×4’s. Pretty soon my goal is going to have to be to have a truck to haul all my garden supplies! My little Corolla just isn’t doing the trick anymore! Haha! 
3. Plant more heirlooms. Check! The only plants that aren’t heirlooms are those I had seeds left from last year. That’s not many. I can’t wait to see the rainbow of color I get from these beautiful seeds!
4. Track the cost and savings of the garden. I can hardly believe it, but so far I’m actually doing this. Up to this point I spent money on peat pots, seeds, potting soil, wood for the herb box and soil to fill the herb box. I haven’t spent a dime on water because the rain barrel has plenty! And manure if free cause there are lots of farmers around that are dying to just get rid of it! As of tonight I officially got to begin my estimation of the money I’m saving. Hooray! I picked about 3/4 a bag of lettuce/spinach mix. Already $1.88 in savings. Hopefully I can keep on tracking all summer long and share my findings with you!
5. Build a designated space for herbs. Now this was the big project of the year. It wasn’t cheap and it wasn’t fast, but boy am I glad we did it. I think it’s looking stellar now that it’s all painted and planted. It does need to be topped off with more dirt to meet our paint line and to see the plants well, but we thought it was sufficient for this year. Got to spread the cost out somehow!
6. Save more of what I sow. This is yet to come, but I have no doubt it’s going to be a success. It will have to be for all our produced not to go to waste. I’ll probably be kicking off the year with strawberry jam again! I just put the potential picking date at the local farm on my calendar, so I don’t risk missing it. One in my box, one in my mouth. Good times every year!
Hope your garden adventures are in full swing too and going wonderfully! Happy planting! 
