Anyone else start planning next year's garden this time of year?

As usual I've drawn up a design for what I will plant, and where, this coming spring, and ordered seeds to put away with my saved seeds once they dry. Typically once I've put away the seeds and written plan/notes, and Christmas season is looming, I will forget all about gardening. Then in the spring I'll be glad to have my written notes to refresh my memory.

I ordered more of the Riesentraube heirloom cherry tomatoes (I've been happy with them this year) and crookneck yellow summer squash (a favorite of mine in past years). For flowers I'm really liking the look of these petunias (Raspberry Shake) and this variety of nasturtiums (Orchid Flame). Unfortunately I'll have to wait until after the first of the year for the petunias to be back in stock, so will have to place another order in January for these.



Anyone else get the next year's planning bug this time of year?

Those Raspberry Shake petunias look great to me, SPedigrees!

We just have to start petunias and pansies in the house/greenhouse next year. There is very little reason not to. I have done that with little problem in the past. Both require early planning and planting. Later, with the zinnias and marigolds, they will be just fine. Those 2 give us more time so procrastinating works better.

DW absolutely wants the petunias and pansies potted and at the front door. Fine! Let's not be dependent on the garden centers for their selections.

Steve

digitS' said:

Those Raspberry Shake petunias look great to me, SPedigrees!

We just have to start petunias and pansies in the house/greenhouse next year. There is very little reason not to. I have done that with little problem in the past. Both require early planning and planting. Later, with the zinnias and marigolds, they will be just fine. Those 2 give us more time so procrastinating works better.

DW absolutely wants the petunias and pansies potted and at the front door. Fine! Let's not be dependent on the garden centers for their selections.

Steve

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I used to start a lot of plants early on the back enclosed porch, but in recent years I've limited early starts to tomatoes and geraniums. Just a few pots now, down from a dozen back in the day. I'm not just an easy gardener, I'm a lazy one too! Of course that means waiting awhile for blooms, but I like watching the plants grow, so I don't mind.

most of my planning usually runs several years in advance. downsizing some things and making room for other things that Mom wants more of we usually talk about this in the middle of winter and then i try to fine tune it for the various garden spaces.

Somewhat. My goal for the fall is to have all beds cleaned and mulched with a thick layer of shredded leaves, but we shall see. I'm always guilty of starting more plants than I need, but that means I always have extra to sell or give away. I always say I want more flowers but other than a few marigolds and geraniums but room is always at a premium and tomatoes and peppers usually take priority.

New for next year will be a section of the garden for my daughter as part of her schooling. Mainly a few small raised beds and two wicking planters. Haven't decided whether this will be in one of the main gardens or if we'll try to make a place in the backyard. Of course if we do the latter, than means more fencing. For her garden we'll be doing some easy stuff like radishes and lettuce and also doing local heirlooms and a three sisters garden to go along with her studies for the year.

As for the rest of the garden, there will be more herbs, new varieties of beans and tomatoes and whatever else catches our fancy in the glossy seed catalogs.