Despite my desire for just one more juicy tomato, I find without fail that October signals the wind-down of my garden. Bittersweet are the dwindling harvests as the garden transitions into late fall and winter. Gardening requires hard work, and while I’m always ready for the ease of a winter garden, the tastes of summer fruits and veggies still linger fresh in my mind.
While wandering through my beds and relishing the crisp fall air, I inevitably start to reflect on the season’s successes and failures. I find myself noting how much I love the brightness of a particular pumpkin or excitement of a monarch resting on my vibrant Zinnias. But my eye also settles on the overabundance of certain varieties and the underperformance of others. As I notice and remember the small details, I make sure to have a notebook nearby to record them. This tool has become a vital part of my garden’s success over the years.
Before I would record my observations, a fog-like amnesia would settle through my mind. As seed catalogs pour into my mailbox like the winter rain, I’d simply slip on my rose-colored glasses and soon forget what truly transpired last season. I’d buy every variety that looked appealing, and with spring on my doorstep beckoning me to plant, I’d begin sowing anything and everything I’d purchased. The result was a bit haphazard, and I’d find myself repeating varieties that didn’t produce much or overplanting something my family doesn’t really eat. Now, I’m trying to be more purposeful. Though I still cozy up to my seed catalogs on misty mornings and drool over each variety, I remember to consult my fall notes and musings before purchasing. I make four categories, and I often start to laugh as I remember:
What went well? I add to the cart anything under that heading.
What struggled? Either skip those veggies altogether or plant only a couple under that category, knowing I might be babying some plants next season.
Don’t Repeat!!! This is by far the hardest one. Heed your advice and under no circumstance repeat anything in that category! Take it from me. One year, I second-guessed my notes on Costata Romanesco squash and paid for it. I am still digging deep to see if even a glimmer of love remains.
At last comes one of my true delights as a gardener: What new varieties do I want to grow? I leave space in my gardening heart for a few (or a lot of) new varieties to test. A great example was my hesitancy to plant the cucamelon, but it has revealed itself to be a staple in my garden. Remember to take notes on how they perform so you can find out if they will become an old favorite, or a “don’t repeat”.
I hope this process will inspire you to keep your garden producing food you actually want to eat, a rainbow of flowers for stunning bouquets, and new varieties that keep your family coming back for more. Happy gardening!