On this chilly and wet day in the Homegrown Florida garden, where gardening seems nearly impossible, I find myself reflecting on the past year’s gardening journey. With a significant amount of rain in the forecast, it’s the perfect time to evaluate the successes and failures of the 2023 garden season. In the midst of the gloomy weather, I take this opportunity to review the goals I set, acknowledging both the accomplishments and the areas where improvements can be made. Join me on this reflective journey as we walk through the highs and lows of the 2023 garden and discuss the lessons learned for a better gardening experience in the future.
Setting the Goals for the 2023 Garden Season:
At the beginning of each season, I diligently jot down my goals in my planner. For the 2023 garden season, I had ten goals, ranging from increasing vegetable production to experimenting with different plants and gardening methods. Let’s take a closer look at each goal and assess how well I fared in achieving them.
Increasing Vegetable Production:
One of my goals is to boost the quantity of veggies grown in my garden. I approach this in two ways: growing a year’s supply of preservable crops and ensuring a robust production of seasonal vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, kohlrabi, celery, and radishes were among the successes, with special mention of the excellent results with Brussels sprouts.
Filling a New Bed:
A goal achieved early in the season was filling a new bed. While this may not have been a significant memory, it laid the foundation for various successful plantings throughout the year.
Switching to Organic Fertilizers for Garlic:
A shift from synthetic to organic fertilizers for garlic was a commendable goal. The choice to use organic methods for specific crops aligns with my overall commitment to organic gardening.
Growing More Flowers:
Venturing into growing flowers, especially zinnias, marked a departure from my usual focus on edibles. This goal added color and diversity to the garden, contributing to a more vibrant ecosystem.
Expanding to Native Plants:
Diversifying beyond vegetables and fruits to include native plants was a refreshing change. The inclusion of native species enhances biodiversity and supports local ecosystems.
Increasing Fruit Production:
A successful goal was the increased production of fruits, including peaches, mulberries, and melons. These additions not only contributed to the garden’s productivity but also provided a variety of fresh produce.
Boosting Herb and Medicinal Herb Production:
While herb production was already a strong suit, the goal of growing more medicinal herbs added a valuable layer to my garden. Herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme thrived, contributing both culinary and medicinal benefits.
Improving Soil Health:
Prioritizing soil health through composting, cover cropping, and mulching was a significant focus. Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful garden, and ongoing efforts in this area will continue to yield positive results.
Testing the Garden’s Resilience:
Leaving the garden to fend for itself during a two-month RV trip was an unconventional goal but an enlightening experiment. Assessing how well the garden coped without constant attention provided valuable insights into its resilience.
Expanding Food Preservation Methods:
Diversifying food preservation methods, including exploring freeze-drying for broccoli and experimenting with canning and freeze-drying for potatoes, marked a successful exploration of new techniques.
Assessing Successes and Challenges of the 2023 Garden Season:
Reflecting on these goals reveals a mix of successes and challenges. Achieving goals like filling a new bed, growing a variety of flowers, and successfully transitioning to organic fertilizers for garlic stands out as accomplishments. The impressive yield of certain crops, such as peppers and tomatoes, was particularly rewarding.
However, challenges surfaced, notably in the realm of potato cultivation. The white potato harvest was less than optimal, with plans to experiment with different varieties and growing methods in the coming year. The sweet potato harvest, though substantial, raised questions about factors affecting yield, including weather conditions.
Lessons Learned and Adjustments for 2024:
In retrospect, it’s clear that each goal achieved or fell short provided valuable lessons. Thinning carrots and dedicating specific beds to growing sweet potatoes are adjustments for better yields. The importance of robust plant support for tomatoes and the need for a more diversified support system are crucial takeaways.
As we embark on a new year, the reflections on 2023 serve as a foundation for setting goals for 2024. These goals, ranging from addressing past challenges to embracing new experiments, will guide the planning and execution of the upcoming gardening season.
A year of garden mistakes and successes has been a journey of growth and learning. The garden, much like life, presents opportunities for reflection, improvement, and adaptation. As I look forward to the challenges and triumphs of the next gardening season, the experiences of 2023 will serve as a compass, guiding me toward a more bountiful and resilient garden.
Goals for 2024:
Building on the experiences of the past year, I outline my gardening aspirations for 2024. From expanding vegetable production to experimenting with Greenstalks and delving into medicinal plant cultivation, these goals promise an exciting year ahead.
Expanding Vegetable Production:
With a goal to increase vegetable self-sufficiency from 70% to 80%, I outline plans for growing white potatoes, peas, onions, hot peppers, and more. Explore the strategic approach to meet this ambitious target.
Focusing on Fruit Production:
Transitioning from foundational plantings to maintenance, I emphasize the importance of proper pruning and care for fruit trees and bushes. Learn how this focus aims to maximize productivity and plant health.
Experimentation in the Garden:
2024 promises a year of experimentation, particularly in utilizing Greenstalks for extending growing seasons. Uncover plans for growing warm-season crops during colder months and vice versa, pushing the boundaries of traditional gardening.
Preserving with Creativity:
Continuing the preservation journey, I aspire to go beyond basic canning. Explore plans for canning complete meals, inventive jams, and unique juices, adding variety to the pantry.
Cultivating Medicinal Plants:
Venturing into the world of medicinals, my goal is to create homemade cough drops, gummy vitamins, syrups, teas, soaps, and an effective mosquito repellent. Follow along as I explore the dual purpose of these plants in both gardening and self-care.
As we embark on another gardening year, these reflections and goals serve as a roadmap for the exciting journey ahead. Join me in the garden, where each seed planted and lesson learned contributes to the ongoing narrative of growth, sustainability, and joyous harvests. Happy gardening!
