How do I plan?

Melissa Jeter aka HUF

Begin with the end in mind. .

I have my seed catalog. It's too early to plant but never to early to plan. So before deciding what seeds to buy, ask yourself what you wanna eat.

In fact, I bet you are eating right now!  
What is it?
Is  it good?
Would you like to have more of it?
Can you grow it?
Uh huh! That's something that could be on your seed list.  
Let's start it as a wish list.

Currently, I'm generating my wish list from a couple of cookbooks. Although, I'm currently eating cookies. . . 

Tis the season. . . fa la la la la la la la chomp. . . 


 But (talking with mouth full) I don't plan to grow wheat and mill flour.  I also don't think vanilla beans can be grown in this area. And I don't have a cow for milk and butter.


 You see, these are the things you need to consider when making your wish list. . . 

1. Will it grow in your area? If so, when is it supposed to be planted?
2. How is it harvested and do you even want to do the work it takes to harvest it?
3. And lastly, will you have animals on your urban farm?

Look, just because you have a pineapple seed in Ohio, doesn't mean it will grow in Ohio. 

So on to the next step in seed selection. . . 

Check out those maps in the seed catalog. The ones with the broad color strokes across the United States.  Find your state and it's corresponding color/temperature range.  Read this and use this information when selecting your seeds.

 But back to the fun part (picks up cracker and fancy holiday cheese ball)

EATING!!

   Here are some meals I have chosen; put  into a handy little chart.

Meals	Vegetables  from Garden	cookbook
salad	lettuce, spinach, tomatoes
pesto	dill, basil
	Kale	Cooking from the garden : best recipes from Kitchen gardener / edited by Ruth Lively. Call No. 641.5 Coo	p 14, 130
strawberry smoothie	strawberries
salsa	tomatoes cilantro onion		p.42
Mediterranean toasts			p104
	green beans potatoes		p.143
zucchini fritters	zucchini
roasted potatoes with sage			p.164
roasted veggies with balsamic	carrots, turnips rosemary, marjoram, oregano		p.173
Pasta with kale and s age			p.182
stuffed peppers			p.211
spanakopita	spinach, onions		p.212
mashed potatoes

 Now, I like to keep a good chart.  A good chart never hurt anybody. Besides once you do it, store it in your garden journal and you'll be set for years to come.

What? You say you don't keep a garden journal?!!!
Let me tell you something, bud, a good gardening journal never hurt anybody  (and neither has a good cookie. .. chomp , chomp)  No one plans to fail, but fail to plan and you will reap what you sow.


 A garden journal is a handy tool when getting started.

SO GO OUT AND GET SOME GRAPH PAPER!

A pen and/or pencil will help too and write this stuff down.
Yeah you could use your Ipad or some other mobile device or tablet, but do you want to take that out in your garden when you survey your farm.  Have I made my point???


Of course your wait until my blook is published  and buy a copy. . . I'd be really flattered, but you really need your own records.


So whenever you finish chewing on whatever it is your eating start your garden journal with simple paper and pencil and pen.  Make charts.


We've only just begun. . . . to plan.
 

 One more thing to do while planning the urban farm in the winter. . .

Write songs about building garden structures!

 Now, where's my guitar?


Dowell rods and pantyhose
I'm planning on stringing up those beans when they come up
Oh when they come up, when they come up
But in the mean time I'm building garden structures of
dowell rods and pantyhose
Cheap cheap cheap cheap


Dowel rods and pantyhose
Dowel rods and pantyhose
I'm planning on stringing up those beans when they come up
all planted in a rows nice and neat
Gonna make 'em vertically grow up those
Dowel rods and Pantyhose
Cheap cheap cheap

What's an urban farmer to do in the winter?

Well after that last rousing blog about Death. . . what exactly is an urban farmer to do in the winter?


Ok, so after I get out my sun lamp and pop a few vitamin D3 to enhance my mood, I finally remember that I can plan out the farm for next year.  Yes, indeed!

Winter is where the plans for the spring begin.  While the holidays have yet even to pass at this point, I have received my seed catalog!


Oh Joy to the world! The seeds have come!  Let Earth receive her. . .  you get the picture.


I quickly page through the catalog enjoying all the bright colors of heirloom vegetables, flowers and herbs. I reflect on last year's crops.  And I think, how can I make it BIGGER!!!!


Yes, BIGGER!. Yes, I know I live in the city. Yes, I realize my backyard is not really a farm. No, I'm not concerned about the property value of my house; I bought a house to live in and homestead.  No, I don't really care what the neighbors think.

Happy Planning!