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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

One Way to Beat Garden Boredom



Garden boredom?  This may seem like a strange topic in February, but as a "long-time" (20 year) gardener, sometimes the reality of garden work hits home.  I remember years when seed catalogs would come in and I would quickly put them somewhere out of sight so I wouldn't stress out.  Weird right?  Not really. 

It's not difficult to get burned out on the things we enjoy...especially when we feel like we HAVE to do them, anything can become a chore.  

And this brings me to my post...one way I personally beat garden boredom.  It starts now, in January/February, when I have time to think about what I liked growing last year and what I'm growing this year.

Because it's making gardening fun that keeps me coming back.  Even having a large harvest can only satisfy me creatively for a short amount of time.  

I need variety...and that's where my one boredom buster comes in...

Every year I plant different and unusual varieties of vegetables and flowers that draw me back to the soil and inspire me to explore the world of gardening again.

I know.  It's not rocket science.  Chances are you're already doing this.  And if you're new to gardening, everything plant is new.  But this principle has resurrected the love of gardening in me so many times I lost count.

So, here's a short list of some garden veggies I plan on growing this year.  New and different to me, giving me alternative colors, sizes, flavors and textures that compel me to have fun and play in the garden.

Tumbling Tom Yellow Tomatoes



 1. Tumbling Toms: Okay.  I admit I am fascinated by any weeping variety of plant.  And to think I could eat from a hanging plant is even more exciting.  Since I'm so cramped for space, this is a great way to grow a vegetable from a vertical space. I chose the yellow variety thinking the birds won't think these are strawberries and leave them alone...or something like that.  I don't think these will blow me away in the taste department, but they'll do for roasting or throwing on a salad. 


Sweet Pickle Pepper

2. Sweet Pickle Peppers: These type of ornamental peppers have been around for awhile for sure, but I have always encountered the hot variety so this sweet one has reeled me in.  It's colorful, compact and cute...in other words, this plant is perfect for my suburban yard.  I read about these peppers from another person's blog and it convinced me to give these little beauties a try.  These would be great if you have young children..they could eat these as a snack on their own.  You can also pickle the leftovers...

Summer Green Tiger Zucchini and Small Wonder Hybrid Squash




3. Space-saving Zucchini and Squash: Well, no need to go into detail here.  These are pretty mainstream veggies but the fact that they can be grown in large containers or in a small garden space make these tempting to grow in my garden this year.  The zucchini is described as having a "delicate, nutty flavor." Sounds amazing.  The spaghetti squash is great because each squash can make one meal.  I usually cut these in half and put them in a skillet filled with some water, cover, simmer gently until done.  


Dragon Tongue Wax Bush Bean




4. Fresh eating and Shell Bean: This plant just screams "Plant Me!!"  You put this in your garden and all your friends will think you're a genius and gardener extraordinaire! Another way to keep me from being bored for sure.  It's beautiful, it's an heirloom, and it's a dual purpose bean...love!
I am thinking that I will want to save some of these seeds for next year and maybe even gift some to other gardening friends...I think this one is going to be a winner!

Well, there you have it.  These are just a few of the different plants I'll be growing this year.  Some Asian greens will also be included as well.  Plant your own unusual and exciting varieties of veggies and the garden "hum-drums" will be a thing of the past.  

Colorful, flavorful and interesting... this year's garden promises to be very interesting indeed. 

What are you doing to beat any garden blues?  Growing anything different or exciting?



Linked to these amazing blog parties... Waste Not Want Not Wednesday
Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Wildcrafting Wednesday
Seasonable Celebration The Great Blog Train
Country Homemaker Hop  Natural Living Link-Up
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Homestead Barn Hop Tuesday Green
The Backyard Farming Connection Seasonal Celebration Wednesday

20 comments:

  1. Hi - visiting here from the blog train hop. I love those peppers - that's going on my ever-growing garden list for this year. I have those catalogs spread out all over my table this time of year, in anticipation!

    Thanks for sharing,

    LuAnne

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    1. Yes, I'm excited about them this year too! Hope your garden is great this year... :)

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  2. What a great idea! We have been trying new things each year and it is a fun way to keep gardening interesting. This year we are going to try corn and sugar snap peas. I'm excited!

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    1. Sounds great! I've never grown corn before because of our lack of space, but there's nothing like fresh corn on the cob for dinner...yum!!

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  3. We found out we have a love for rutabaga through experimenting… I never would have tried to buy those in the store! I like your ideas and am visiting through the Natural Living Link up :)

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    1. Thanks Jes...i've never tried rutabagas...hmmm, another garden idea! :)

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  4. GREAT tips! I prefer yellow tomatoes over red ones. Are you familiar with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds? 'Wonderful place to experiment. Thank you for hopping on board The Great Blog Train! -Marci, Angie and Helen

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    1. Heirloom seeds are always so fun...so many different colors, shapes and sizes. I'll have to check Baker Creek out online. Thanks for the invite!

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  5. Delicious photos with beautiful colors. Exquisite

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  6. One year I bought some unusual seeds for planting. Rattlesnake beans and walking stick kale and a few others I don't remember but it was fun in the planning of these things. It's fun to plan gardens in the winter, isn't it? Take care, Linda

    Would love to have you share this a What to do Weekends Party.

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/02/what-to-do-weekends-5.html

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    1. Those plants sound really interesting...I love the names from heirlooms, they are always interesting! Thanks for the invite too...will definitely visit!

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  7. Thanks for the good ideas. I'm sure to try a few this season to escape my ho-hum standards!

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    1. I hear you! I always plant the same things too so this always helps to shake things up a bit! :)

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  8. Nancy, this is so inspiring, the images and colours are simply gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this with us and I hope very much to see you over at Seasonal Celebration today! Rebecca @Natural Mothers Network x

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    1. Thanks Rebecca for the invite...I will head on over! :)

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  9. I am doing brussel sprouts this year so that we have an organic option. Thanks for linking up with Tuesday Greens!

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    1. Love brussel sprouts too...hope they do well for you. :)

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  10. I do the same, trying new varieties each year. We're so spoilt for choice, especially when it comes to tomatoes and squash varieties.

    Just a heads up, I've grown that Small Wonder squash before, compact and space efficient, yes. It also produces as much or more fruit than a standard size vine. Beware! You will have a bumper crop and be giving them away by the end of fall.

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    1. Jasmine - it's great to hear about the Small Wonder squash. I would rather have it be prolific and trade it for something else at our community garden than to have it not produce. I can usually keep our winter squash well over most of the winter without losing any. I am hoping this variety will be a good keeper too...I love that I can store it without having to do any work on it! Thanks for the input and I'll keep it in mind so I don't plant too many! :)

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