A few years ago, when I first started gardening seriously, I read 100 Vegetables and Where They Came From by William Woys Weaver. It is a remarkable book filled with page-after-page of vegetable building blocks for numerous culinary masterpieces. I was so inspired I tried to grow about half of the varieties mentioned. As a new gardener, this probably wasn’t the best way for me to have spent my time.
Here are a few words of advice that hopefully can help you avoid the same mistake.
First, focus on what you and your family actually enjoy eating. Do you really eat lots of celeriac? How about daikon radishes? If you do, that is great, but more likely you eat a lot of squash, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc. Think carefully about how you allocate your space.
Second, find seeds/varieties that are adapted to growing well in your area! It is fun to look at seed catalogs from far-away places; however the vegetables may not do well for you. Purchase seeds from companies that are in your region or perhaps swap seeds with local gardening pals. You can also get good information from the growers at your local farmers market about what and where to buy.
As I enter my seventh year of gardening in my current location, the number of vegetable varieties I will grow this year has decreased by 75%. Instead of 20 individual varieties of lettuce, I now purchase a single (large) packet of lettuce mix from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Instead of 15 varieties of soup beans, I now plant zero (we just don’t eat very many dried beans).
My intent isn’t to dissuade you from planting what you have been inspired to plant. Just remember to focus the majority of your time and growing space on the vegetables you enjoy and source your seeds locally.
Good luck with your gardens. If you have questions I will be happy to help if I can.
Agree that zealous vegetable gardeners can overthink things at the outset! After experimenting with much exotica in days of yore, we have mellowed somewhat. In fact, last spring transplanted a dozen tomato volunteers and were pleasantly surprised by the summer harvest!
I am still just as excited about planting the garden each year; however I now have a much better idea about what works well and what I enjoy eating. Happy gardening.
Last year I reserved space in our little gardening area for raspberries, strawberries, and rubarb. Plants were all new last year so I got nothing but I’m totally excited about possibly getting a few berries this year. Other than that we plant tomatoes, cucumbers, some herbs, and lettuce. Sadly last year our area was hit with a blight so all our gorgeous tomato plants were wiped out almost overnight. However, despite the coldest March we’ve had in a century I’m starting to think about the garden all ready. Your right on focusing on local plants I’ve never had any luck with anything other than the previously mentioned veggies.
Yep, sure is great to have some plants that come back every year. We have had an asparagus bed for about 6 years now, so it is in full production mode.
re: tomatoes and blight – I have planted a few varieties that are blight resistant so hopefully when it hits, we will not lose all of the plants.
In our climate, sweet potatoes are the can’t miss crop (at least so far).
I keep planting kale, thinking I’ll eat it, and it still hasn’t happened….
The goats that chewed down my field last summer appreciated it though.
Strawberries get the most space in my garden. I love them, and they love our crappy PNW climate, laugh. No sun? No problem, we will grow anyway! (Unfortunately the grass feels the same way.)
Hi Lindsay,
We are learning to like kale here, but actually LOVE Chard.
Wondering if you “accidentally” let the goats into your kale?