When we started this gardening season I did an evaluation of my vegetable garden space. Originally I thought I needed to build more raised beds, but upon reading Square Foot Gardening I came to the conclusion that what I had was sufficient. I carefully planned out what I was going to plant in each square of my garden. I was happy with what I had planned. Then I built my greenhouse/coldframe and went seed crazy. I had leftover pumpkin (4 varieties) and squash (2 varieties) seeds left from last year. I had onion seeds that I’d never tried and found a few tomato seed packets that looked like they might be fun. Much to my surprise everything sprouted. Everything! I have 8 sprouts of Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins, at least 3 Amish Pie Pumpkins, 5 Jack-b-Little, 8 Butternut Squash… blah blah blah. I also have this new found love of tomatoes. I purchased 3 tomato plants, but have plans for more.

All of these grand plans requires more space. I did not take into consideration these high real estate plants when I made my garden plan.

This weekend we are embarking on the great “build new vegetable beds” adventure. I had hoped to put them in open areas in my east* flower gardens, but I am now thinking we might have to do some sod removal and put them on the east lawn. We are going with 2 4′x4′ beds that will house the remainder of my tomato collection. I am still contemplating where to put the masses of pumpkins. My attempts to put them in the corner bed last year resulted in utter failure, but I think that is because of lack of water and poor soil condition. I may try it again this year.

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*Our front yard is on the south side of our lot and the house sits more or less parallel to our street and way back on the lot. This particular configuration makes it very confusing for many gardeners. The south side is the shadiest because of large Thundercloud Plum trees. The back yard is obviously shady because of it being the north side of the house. However our east side is shaded by nothing and is the hottest part of our garden.