I had a lot of fun in the garden last summer with my grandsons so with them in mind I begin another year of planning.  Last year we talked a lot about seeds.  I let some of the carrots and lettuces go to seed so they could see how weird and wonderful seeds are!   

This year we’ll do some companion planting.  Beets with sage; carrots will cozy up with leaf lettuce; and I’ll be sure to plant basil and tomatoes together, under cover!  I’m not a fan of anything planted in rows like little soldiers.  I’m more into loosey goosey so I’ll encourage the boys to come up with their ideas too.  Results should be interesting.

I want to try a different carrot this year too.  I usually plant Nantons but my friend from Alberta who knows I’m a bit of a carrot freak brought me some Boleros from her garden.  Absolutely delicious!  Not too hard and just the right amount of sweetness.    I’d like to try Chioggia Guardsmark Beets.  They have bright pink and white alternating rings.  I’ll be planting Swiss chard Bright Lights for sure.  With red, yellow, rose, gold and white stems they will make a colorful centerpiece in the garden and the leaves are highly nutritious.  Another color addition this year will be Rainbow Tuscan kale.  Leaves are blue, green and purple, some are curly and some have red veins.  It’s slow to bolt so we’ll have a good long supply of beta carotene, vitamins and calcium well into winter.     

Last year we had great success with Cinderella pumpkins, an odd shaped centuries old heirloom with deep ridges that’s real spooky just the way it is!  Makes good pies too.   

But my real plan is to cultivate a love affair with the dirt (that won’t be hard) that will include planting, watching things grow, allowing some veggies to go to seed to save for next year’s garden, and last but not least, the joy of recognizing and tasting real food!