Get ready, get set, oops it's still winter!

Garden Report for 2014

Like all things in life, insight into better gardening comes with experience and even failure. Raised boxes are different from planting directly in the ground. Some things just don't do well in smaller pots, so from now on we are only going to use the larger raised beds. We also tried doing without fertilizer but that limited crop yield. This year we'll feed the soil as well as eliminate all the individual pots. Another challenge will be better composting. 

Last year we experimented with lettuce, onions, beets, chard, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, bush and pole beans, and brussel sprouts. Tomatoes in individual containers did not work! This year our intention is to plant lettuce, onions, greens, peas, beets, broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, and a few herbs like basil and parsley. If we have space we will try brussel sprouts again. 

Darv and I seem to be the self-designated gardeners. We both delight in working with God in the garden. While we are perfectly happy to do the garden ourselves, we would also welcome participation from others, even non FMC'ers. And, since the ripening process frequently doesn't coincide with food pantry, we anticipate having more vegetables this year for congregational use.

Even though the signs and feel of winter is everywhere, we are feeling the stir of spring fever.  Darv Gebhart, our seeds and plants man, has a bad case of early garden fever and is chomping at the bit to get started.  I suspect if I checked his basement and plant lights I'd see little green shoots starting to show their little faces.  It  won't be long now until we plant early peas. lettuce, and onions.  We are truly grateful for both the joy and opportunity that awaits us as we work together with our Heavenly Father in sharing the abundance He has so plentifully given us!