Just as I've done the last couple of years, I'm recapping the best and worst of my garden for the year. Inspired by all the year-end "best and worst" lists on TV, movies, music, fashion, etc., this list helps remind me what I did right and what went wrong over the year.
Best -- Basil! In the past I've always had small basil plants, some of which didn't make it through the summer. But this year I was able to grow 3 healthy bunches. I ate many tomato-basil-mozzarella salads, had plenty of basil to throw into sauces, and I even managed to pick enough to store some basil pesto cubes in the freezer. These basil plants were in a very deep container, planted along side this Mortgage Lifter tomato plant, which brings me to...
Best/Worst -- Tomatoes. I tried some new varieties this year, some of which did OK, like the ground cherries, Pink Girl hybrids and pink Brandywines...
But others like Chocolate Cherries, Mortgage Lifter, Mr. Stripey, and Ace 55 hybrid didn't do well. I documented my Mortgage Lifter troubles extensively so I won't go into that again. I was talking to a couple of friends who had tomato troubles this year. One lives in the south, but another lives here in the DC area. I'm not sure why we weren't able to get good tomato harvests. For me, I think it was a combination of the heat, which can prevent tomato plants from flowering and setting fruit, and lack of pollinators. I didn't have many flowers in my garden this year to attract pollinators. I also had issues with garden pests, like aphids, spider mites, and horn worms.
Best -- Return of the pond frog! I'm actually not sure if he/she is the same one from last year or even 3 years ago. I read that frogs are a sign of a healthy pond, so I was really happy to see this little frog in my back yard this year.
Worst -- That stupid $$%@ squirrel. It was responsible for eating the few tomatoes that did grow, blueberries, corn stalks, and for digging up many of my seeds and transplants. I love sunflowers (hence the blog title picture), but I only had one grow this year because the squirrel dug up all my transplants.(Another Worst -- no sunflowers this year). I'll have to protect them better next year. Now that the temperatures are bitterly cold, I feel sorry for the little guy (and yes, I know it's the same one. I recognize the mangy brown fur). I may or may not have felt bad enough to throw some unsalted almonds near a tree where I saw it lurking. I know he's thinking "Sucker!"
Best -- I had a pretty good onion harvest this year--just over 2 pounds, not bad for the second year growing them. We left a few in the ground to see if they grow bigger.
Worst - lots of garden fails this year. Beetles ate the potatoes, the two green bean varieties I planted in containers didn't really take off. Everyone seems to be able to grow squash and zucchini so well that they can't give it away, but squash bugs and cucumber beetles feasted on ours. The two little watermelons that we harvested were smelly and didn't taste well.
Although I had some disappointments, I have ideas for what to do better next year. I haven't begun serious garden planning yet, but I've been thinking about growing fewer tomato varieties, for example, and just sticking with a few that I've grown in the past and that did well in pots on my deck. I have to have sunflowers next year, I missed them a lot this past summer. I think my vegetables missed the pollinators they attract. I'll have to make sure to protect the seeds and transplants so they don't get yanked out before their time.
Last but not least, Best -- You! I love reading about your garden plans,and especially like seeing what gardens look like in other parts of the country or world. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving words of encouragement, advice, or sympathy. It makes all this a lot more fun!
If you'd like to recap your own Best and Worst, please feel free to link up or leave a comment below.
I don't grow vegetables myself, but I had a lot of friends that had trouble in their gardens this year, too. Tomato and green bean problems seemed to affect many. I had flower problems in my garden, specifically a mold/mildew that infected all my impatience. But I have a feeling that 2013 is going to be a FABULOUS year! Happy gardening to you in the New Year!
Hi Leslie, well I'm glad to hear I'm not alone with my tomato troubles! :) I think 2013 is going to be a great year too. Looking forward to seeing the tulips in your garden, and maybe the impatiens will make a come back?
Dear Angela, You say you had a lot of failures, but it seems to me you had many more successes. I haven't assessed my 2012 garden yet, nor made plans for next year. I look forward to doing that in a future posting. Wishing you a very Happy New Year! P. x
We had our first pesto of the season tonight. isn't basil good - it would make my best list too - grows well here and I rarely have any problems. For me best were broccoli, beans, cucumbers and the worst were tomatoes, peas and cabbage. Funnily enough though the beans and cukes I am struggling with this season. Every year is different I suppose.
Interesting that this year you're struggling with the cukes and beans, maybe the tomatoes will pull through? I suppose every year IS different. Hope 2013 is a great one for you!
How lovely to read of your successes and failures. I do enjoy, like you seeing what is being grown in other parts of the world. Britain had the wettest year EVER this last year and most of us had total disasters in our veggie gardens. I've never reaped such poor harvests. I do hope this year is better. Your basil looks delicious!xxxxx
Angela I'll link in next Monday....I too had tomato and zuke problems and only two sunflowers that self seeded....my beans did well though. You know I have to net my veggies or the critters get at them....rrrrr! Happy New Year
Donna, no problem. I'm learning that gardeners have a constant battle with the critters, and sometimes I think they just laugh at us. I'm looking forward to reading about your 2013 garden and other changes. Happy New Year!
your basil's beautiful! seeing all these lovely summer photos makes me so ready for spring. it's 22 degrees and snowing out right now and i'm done with it.
happy new year and best wishes for an awesome garden in 2013!
Thanks Emily! LOL, I know, now that the holidays have passed I'm ready for spring too. Not looking forward to slushy snow days. Hope your garden is awesome in 2013 too!
Great post! I'll try to put together my best and worst of the year this week and link back to your site. Every gardener knows that NEXT year will be their best! So..Here's to next year!--May it be our best gardening year yet!
Dear Angela: I should have thought about a different title for my post, but your meme title seemed just right. Thanks for hosting this meme. All the best in 2013!
I love to see the highs and the lows (not being morbid, it is just interesting). next spring will be here before you know if and time to dig into it all again. It is easy to get discouraged, but remember the high points. Looking forward to another spring of gardening. The winter garden here is struggling this year, but still producing something now and then.
Haha, thanks. I understand, I like seeing highs and lows too, helps me learn. I'm really looking forward to spring! That's great that you have a winter garden!
I like the idea of a recap. :o) My basil was lousy this year. It got too much reflected heat from the windows and was miserable all summer. My Heatmaster tomatoes were excellent and very hardy/tasty. They'd be a good variety to try. I'm hoping my frog comes back.
Late blight came towards the end of the summer and got my tomatoes. After several years of Late Blight I am paying more attention to my seed varieties and what they can fend off. My cukes were horrible, and I read later they discontinued my seed variety because it couldn't fend off the common cold. Each year has it disappointments, but no year is a failure if we learn from it. All the best for next year.
I don't grow vegetables myself, but I had a lot of friends that had trouble in their gardens this year, too. Tomato and green bean problems seemed to affect many. I had flower problems in my garden, specifically a mold/mildew that infected all my impatience. But I have a feeling that 2013 is going to be a FABULOUS year! Happy gardening to you in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie, well I'm glad to hear I'm not alone with my tomato troubles! :)
DeleteI think 2013 is going to be a great year too. Looking forward to seeing the tulips in your garden, and maybe the impatiens will make a come back?
Dear Angela, You say you had a lot of failures, but it seems to me you had many more successes. I haven't assessed my 2012 garden yet, nor made plans for next year. I look forward to doing that in a future posting. Wishing you a very Happy New Year! P. x
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, I look forward to seeing your garden plans. I should focus on the successes, definitely. Happy New Year!
DeleteWe had our first pesto of the season tonight. isn't basil good - it would make my best list too - grows well here and I rarely have any problems. For me best were broccoli, beans, cucumbers and the worst were tomatoes, peas and cabbage. Funnily enough though the beans and cukes I am struggling with this season. Every year is different I suppose.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that this year you're struggling with the cukes and beans, maybe the tomatoes will pull through? I suppose every year IS different. Hope 2013 is a great one for you!
DeleteHow lovely to read of your successes and failures. I do enjoy, like you seeing what is being grown in other parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteBritain had the wettest year EVER this last year and most of us had total disasters in our veggie gardens. I've never reaped such poor harvests. I do hope this year is better.
Your basil looks delicious!xxxxx
Thanks,snowbird! I'm sure this year will be better for all of our gardens :)
DeleteAnd for the rescue animals as well, right?
Angela I'll link in next Monday....I too had tomato and zuke problems and only two sunflowers that self seeded....my beans did well though. You know I have to net my veggies or the critters get at them....rrrrr! Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteDonna, no problem. I'm learning that gardeners have a constant battle with the critters, and sometimes I think they just laugh at us. I'm looking forward to reading about your 2013 garden and other changes. Happy New Year!
Deleteyour basil's beautiful! seeing all these lovely summer photos makes me so ready for spring. it's 22 degrees and snowing out right now and i'm done with it.
ReplyDeletehappy new year and best wishes for an awesome garden in 2013!
Thanks Emily! LOL, I know, now that the holidays have passed I'm ready for spring too. Not looking forward to slushy snow days. Hope your garden is awesome in 2013 too!
DeleteGreat post! I'll try to put together my best and worst of the year this week and link back to your site. Every gardener knows that NEXT year will be their best! So..Here's to next year!--May it be our best gardening year yet!
ReplyDeleteYes, Rebecca, there's always next year! I look forward to seeing your post. :)
DeleteDear Angela: I should have thought about a different title for my post, but your meme title seemed just right. Thanks for hosting this meme. All the best in 2013!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! Your post was great, and your garden is beautiful. Thank you for participating!
DeleteI love to see the highs and the lows (not being morbid, it is just interesting). next spring will be here before you know if and time to dig into it all again. It is easy to get discouraged, but remember the high points. Looking forward to another spring of gardening. The winter garden here is struggling this year, but still producing something now and then.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks. I understand, I like seeing highs and lows too, helps me learn. I'm really looking forward to spring! That's great that you have a winter garden!
DeleteI like the idea of a recap. :o) My basil was lousy this year. It got too much reflected heat from the windows and was miserable all summer. My Heatmaster tomatoes were excellent and very hardy/tasty. They'd be a good variety to try. I'm hoping my frog comes back.
ReplyDeletehttp://awaytogarden.com/giveaway-high-mowing-seeds-can-do-creed-and-how-to-grow-better-melons-healthier-tomatoes
ReplyDeleteI saw this article and thought of you. It might help explain some of your tomato mysteries. :o)
fascinated by that world map. Even in the link I can't see the details. A very finely carved metal outline with animals collaged together?
ReplyDeleteLate blight came towards the end of the summer and got my tomatoes. After several years of Late Blight I am paying more attention to my seed varieties and what they can fend off. My cukes were horrible, and I read later they discontinued my seed variety because it couldn't fend off the common cold. Each year has it disappointments, but no year is a failure if we learn from it. All the best for next year.
ReplyDelete