2011 Garden Plan coming together

As I've been going through my seed catalogs I've been deciding what new veggies/fruits I'll be trying to grow this year. I was going to create 3 new beds, but due to a lack of full sun I'll be working with 2 new beds, which will give me 4 beds each 4x4. I plan on dedicating one full bed to trying corn. I've never grown this before, but have always wanted to try it. Now's as good a time as any! I have been reading up on growing corn and feel pretty confident about growing them. Found out I have to grow them in a 4x4 area for pollination. That's easy since my raised beds are 4x4. I have a variety picked out that says its good for northern gardeners. I still need money to build the 2 new beds (along with ordering compost from different areas to fill them) so lets hope I get this job I'm interviewing for so I can get the same type of beds I have already. Otherwise it'll be a DIYer this time around. I saw in the Burpee catalog that there are cornors you can buy (much cheaper then the whole set) and then just purchase the wood. I'm going to have to price out the wood. My other beds cost $100/each and I liked knowing I was helping to support the amish (in Ohio) who made them.

To buy heirloom, or not to buy heirloom. That is the question...I've been thinking on lately. I know the advantages of being able to reuse the seeds it creates, but that's as far as my education goes. Not to mention that I don't have a clue how to save the seeds, at least properly to ensure germination. I guess I will look into the pros and cons and perhaps I'll grow my first heirloom plants this year.

Note:
Go through current seeds and decide what seeds need to be purchased.

Hope Springs!!!

My favorite time of the winter is when the Burpee seed catalog arrives! This season it arrived right after our first blizzard which is really quite timely. Oh, just seeing all those beautiful colors, and the different varieties of veggies and flowers, it just creates this warmth inside me that just overflows into a rather stupid looking grin that won't leave. I call it "Hope". Hope that Spring really will be coming again. Hope that I won't always have to bundle up when I go outside. Hope that one day I'll be able to walk barefoot on the grass again. Hope that I will learn from my previous mistakes and create my fantasies of an overflowing veggie bed that will fill the pots and freezer in my kitchen so we can have deliciously healthy meals for the summer and last through the winter.

This year I have the same fantasies I always have: that I'm going to have so many veggies I'll have enough to give to family after filling my freezer. I will be trying some new things and coming up with some habits to ensure I do the best I can with what I have to work with.

I found this book that gives symptoms of plants and possible causes of their illness called What's wrong with my plant? (And how do I fix it?). I chose this book firstly because the layout is so very easy to read. If you can SEE your plants problem, they have a picture for it and I think that will make things easier. The other thing I liked about this book is they use Organic remedies. I totally believe in doing everything in my veggie garden the organic way. I refuse to put any chemicals near anything my family will be eating. I buy organic milk and organic eggs. If I could afford it I'd also buy organic meat, but being unemployed, that won't be happening at this time.

Notes:
Every weekend check plant health
Mark calendar when feedings are to be made