The Annual Organic Gardening Carnival 2009
I know of very few gardeners for whom everything comes easily. Certainly it didn't for me. Gardening, though something I've become passionate about and have learned to truly love, has required a lot of work, study, experimentation (and yes, both failure and success), and learning from others.
I don't think I'm alone in that. For most of us, we grow in our gardening skills the longer we garden, making mistakes and learning from them. Year after year, I learn a little bit more as I try new things and discuss what I am doing with those other brave souls who love to get their hands dirty as I do.
I started this carnival last year in the hopes that we could further our own learning by sharing with one another our unique experiences. We all have somewhat different (or very different) gardening situations-- climates, garden size, budget, age and number of family members, vegetable preferences, types of pests or problems, etc. No two gardens (or gardeners) are the same. And yet, the principles of gardening don't change. Love and pamper your soil. Grow what you eat. Tend to it faithfully. Rotate your crops. Enjoy the process.
I value having to write down my observations from each year. It creates a record for me of how the year went, what I was happy (and not so happy) with, when I did what, what I won't try again, what little techniques worked. I've often gone back to my post from last year, to be reminded of what I grew, or when, or what was the problem I had with such-and-such. I also highly valued being able to read the observations of others, to see photos of their gardens, to learn what they were learning.
(Sadly, last year's posts have all disappeared from the Mr. Linky for some unknown reason, otherwise I would link to it for you. This year that won't happen again as I will be adding each and every entry to this post myself)
So ladies (and hey, men if you're reading this!), let's share about this past year of gardening! I'm eager to read your posts! 
How it works:
1) Write your post with an overview and/or details of your garden this past year and publish it on your blog (for more ideas on what to write about, see this post and see my post from last year- and note that yours doesn't have to be nearly so long!).
2) Come back here and leave a comment with your post url, and a very brief (1 sentence) description of what your post is about.
3) I'll go through the comments as often as I can and get your link added to this post!
4) If you're not a blogger, we would love, love, love to have your thoughts in the comment section! Please share with us anyways!
Let the carnival begin:
Reflections on Another Year of Gardening @ Keeper of the Home
How I felt about gardening while very pregnant and with a newborn, new things I tried and loved, a new method that works for me, and my overall thoughts on my 3rd year of organic gardening!
Organic Garden Carnival @ One Blessed Mama of Boys
My post is a quick what I learned this year in my garden with a few pictures.
Reflections On My Garden @ Tales of a Perfectionist
My post is the reflection and lessons learned from a first year gardener.
Organic Gardening Carnival Reflection @ Modern Alternative Mama
Experimenting with Growing Food Indoors @ Nourishing Days
My post is about my experimentations with growing food indoors this winter.
Gardening Year in Review 2009 @ Home Joys
Our seventh year of gardening was an exciting time to try new things, including a great tomato, a children's garden, and new compost pile!
Looking back at the garden @ Proverbs 31 Living
Even through neglect and cold weather, God blessed abundantly!
Garden Journal 2009 @ Joy Comes From Within
A quick look at my last 3 year of gardening. This year has proved to be the best!
You're next!!!
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Thanks for hosting this Stephanie! I'm very excited to see what everyone has written.
My post is the reflection and lessons learned from a first year gardener. http://talesofaperfectionist.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/reflections-on-my-garden/
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My post is a quick what I learned this year in my garden with a few pictures. http://oneblessedmamaofboys.blogspot.com/2009/11/organic-garden-carnival.html
Jodi´s last blog ..No Spend November: A Couple Yummy Recipes
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I'm submitting mine too! I am interested to learn from everyone.
http://modernalternativemama.blogspot.com/2009/10/organic-gardening-carnival-reflection.html
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My post is about my experimentations with growing food indoors this winter.
http://www.nourishingdays.com/?p=2360
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I do not have a blog, so I will leave my post in the comments if that is okay. Last year I read the articles in your Gargen Carnival. I was inspired to start my own garden. We live in an apartment, however on our patio we do have beds, but they only had mulch in them. So I filled them with some soil based on the Square Foot Gardening method. It was kind of expensive, but it was fun to grow your own things and I plan to use the garden again. I was a little too ambitious and probably set my hopes too high. But overall I did get some nice produce and I learned a lot.
I grew cucumbers, two types of tomatoes, green beans, squash, lettuce, carrots, onions, cilantro, basil, peas, and lima beans.
Some of the lessons I learned:
1. In Southern California you need to water a lot.
2. I tried to use Heirloom seeds and try new varieties and I found that my family prefered the more traditional variety. I think I may buy some of the organic seeds locally next year. They may have less variety, but they are the "traditional" flavor my family is used to eating.
Here are some of the things I plan to try for next year:
1. Since I have a small place, pick things that would be more difficult and more expensive to buy locally. I need to realize that with this size of garden, I am going to suppliment my produce, not provide all of it. I am going to grow cucumbers, tomatoes, different types of squash, lettuce, snow peas, and maybe some melons.
2. I also plan to plant onions, cilantro, and basil again. It was so fun to be able to go pick them and put them in my recipes.
3. I love to experiment and I would love to see which plants will grow in hotter weather. We are planning to move to the Philippines as missionaries in about a year and a half. I would love to experiment with growing some of my own vegetables that would be harder to get over there.
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Looking forward to taking some time to read other's posts!
Our seventh year of gardening was an exciting time to try new things, including a great tomato, a children's garden, and new compost pile!
http://homejoys.blogspot.com/2009/11/gardening-year-in-review-2009.html
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Hello! I did post about my garden. I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do next year anyway. Here is the link:
http://proverbs31living.blogspot.com/2009/11/looking-back-at-garden.html
Even through neglect and cold weather,God blessed abundantly!
Abbi´s last blog ..Looking back at the garden
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http://joycomesfromwithin.blogspot.com/2009/11/garden-journal-2009.html
A quick look at my last 3 year of gardening. This year has proved to be the best!
Jacqualine´s last blog ..Garden Journal 2009
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