Sunday morning I was able to till the soil on the south side of the garage and plant my garlic. This was pretty much my entire crop from this year. It’s a hard necked variety called Music that performed very well. When all was said and done I planted 70 bulbs. Next year we should have enough to eat for the winter and spring plus the same amount to plant the following year.
Gardening is such a long term process. You always have to think years down the line and plan, plan, plan. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray” is every farmer’s adage so we plan for the unexpected as well.
My garden has begun to expand with more permanent plantings. Raspberries and asparagus are the newest members. Blueberries, rhubarb and pears have been there awhile. I still have another year before I will be eating the asparagus but once the patch comes in it will be amazing. My raspberries have had two years of not doing so well and I am beginning to think I should move them to another spot, maybe in the back forty. They will have just as much sun but the soil won’t dry out as much. It’s worth a shot, they certainly aren’t happy where they are.
Growing your own food is both wonderful and anxiety producing. You worry about your plants. You wonder if your timing is right for planting, for harvesting. Â Every year is different. I used to think that once I had 10 years under my belt I would be able to relax but that is not the case. Too warm, too cold, too wet, too dry, sheesh. I keep records from year to year – garden layout, planting time, harvest time. I review it during the winter and try to plan but you never know. So all we can do is hope for the best.
Fort Pelham Farm 
i thought gardening would be so relaxing. sometimes it is but most of the time, I agree with you, always concerned with some new variable!
It took me a long time to realize this.
Our garlic has been in the ground for at least a month. Our Blueberries should produce next year and the raspberries do very well. Like you say, each year is different. We canned applesauce (28 litres -quarts) and beans this summer. Ate all the peas and have a small supply of potatoes. My tomatoes are almost all gone, but that will be fine. I like your post.
Thanks for the comment. It’s always nice to hear from other gardeners.
I’m so glad I’m not alone… 🙂 Love this post and especially the last paragraph…you summed it up so well!
Every year we do the same thing though – nothing ever deters us.
I know. 🙂 I have a friend who calls it “true grit” ~ perseverance in the face of failure. I really think it is a good thing, and eventually we will reap a harvest… hopefully.
Or eventually learn not to plant whatever it is we have been trying to grow. 🙂
I like how you used the quote, best laid plans of mice and men. I often use the book title, Next Year Country. I am forever thinking next year, next year, especially with my flowers.
Words to live by.