As we head toward cooler weather and the end of the outdoor vegetable garden growing season, now is the perfect time to take stock of how well (or not so well!) our gardens performed this year.
Some questions to consider:
• Was the garden space large enough? Too large?
• Did you have enough seeds, compost, and other supplies for your entire garden?
• What varieties produced more or less than what you wanted?
• Did the location get enough sun? How did the sunlight change near the end of the season? Were you able to easily water in dry weather? Was it too wet?
• Did each vegetable variety have the appropriate amount of space to grow?
• What should you plant more/less of next year? Is there something you can replace with a new vegetable you’ve always wanted to try?
• Were there any problems with pests or disease? When, where, what month, and what were you able to do about it, if anything?
• Did the garden need more maintenance than expected? Were there any garden tools you wished you had? Were you able to weed easily? Should you do more (weed paper, etc.) to prevent weeds in future years?
• Are there ways to grow more in the space? Could a trellis or two help? Would some plants be more suited to container gardening rather than taking up garden space?
The answers to these questions and any additional information can be recorded in a garden journal that’s kept for the following year. A simple notebook will work. Include a garden map or take pictures of what you planted to make it easier to map out plant rotation and placement next year. Make sure to keep your journal among your gardening supplies so it’s easy to locate. As soon as the weather grows warmer again, you’ll be armed with the information you need to plan an even more successful vegetable garden in 2026.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County answers home and garden questions which can be emailed to homeandgarden@cornell.edu or call 315-736-3394, press 1 and ext. 333. Leave your question, name, and phone number. Questions are answered on weekdays, 8am to 4pm. Also, visit our website at http://cceoneida.com/ or phone 315-736-3394, press 1 and then ext.100.
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