Gardening #1: Plotting and Planning the Plot

There is a little bit of spring in the air tempting and teasing us here in SW Colorado. And as the year slowly progresses I am hampered by two undeniable facts:

• It is March.
  
• I cannot plant until June 4th (frost date here in Durango).

What to do? Plan and dream. And pick up over-wintered dog poop. Gross.

Though I don't have a greenhouse (another accessory that I hope to acquire someday) I've already started some lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and peppers in a south-facing window, supplemented with a grow light to get them started out right. The lettuce and herbs are poking their heads out, which is exciting!

The plot plan is coming together in my head, but I searched around for an on-line garden designing tool so I could get it all down. All I came up with for online planning were tools for landscaping, but they might be useful still.

Here are 10 garden plans from Better Homes and Gardens. These are complete with layout and plant keys. They are nice because they integrate both veggies and flowers.

Here are my basic necessities:

• Tomatoes: Brandywine are my absolute favorite because they are big and juicy. Scott says he also wants cherry tomatoes, and I'm also going to try an heirloom Purple Cherokee variety and some Early Girls this year.
• Peppers: I tried all kinds of peppers last year and Poblanos and Jalapenos were the only ones that really took off and fruited. I think it must have something to do with the climate here and short growing season (I always have a hard time getting my habaneros to fruit, let alone ripen).

Beans: I love making a bean tent (at left) with a couple of varieties of beans. I always get too many, but the neighbors love them so I share
Basil: Always have to have this for fresh basil all summer. When it comes time to harvest, I chop it up and put it in soft butter with garlic and freeze it for herbed butter all winter long.
Beets: You can eat both the leaves and the root! Yum.

• Kale and Chard: I always crave leafy greens all summer. Butter and salt is all you need.
• Summer Squash: Paddy pan, or scallop, and zucchini went crazy in my garden last year (see picture below)
  
• Winter Squash: Butternut is my favorite ever, and then I'll have to do some acorn and pumpkins too.
  

Scott says he wants to concentrate on the sweet corn (we'll get some Olatha Sweet Corn seeds), peas, carrots, and cucumbers. Good thing we have a big plot.