New year, new resolutions

It's only just the start of 2009, and we're already turning our attention to the gardening calendar ahead. So far I've ordered the seeds, drawn up the plans, measured the beds and carried out an audit of the pots so I know what we've got.

A fourth bed has been dug already - to allow us to have a bed dedicated to potatoes. Last year we tried planting carrots and nips in the same bed (a mistake as they were swamped) and had little success in growing anything after lifting the tats.

So that's four veggie beds (the domain of Mr - I don't get involved!) plus all the pots and the side bed (which is my domain and used for slightly more exciting varieties).

I'm also turning my attention to the rest of the garden to see if we can get the flowers up and running for some colour - perennials mainly as I wont have to worry about raising plants year after year.

So, for my sections of the garden, I plan to grow:

• Alpine strawberries in hanging baskets (smaller and much sweeter than normal strawbs plus easier to grow)
• Borlotti climbing beans (grew pretty well last year although not enough sun I think).
• Broad beans in pots (a new venture but should be easy)
• Butternut squash (slug attacked when plant was young - I think I put it in the wrong place too)
• Calabrese (broccoli to you and me)
• Patty pan squash (I love the shape of these, like UFOs)
• Peppers - Razzamatas and Romano (grow really well every year although not managed to get peppers big enough or any colour but green)
• Pumpkin - Baby bear (grew last year although crossed with a courgette!)
• Red cabbage
• Tomatoes from hanging baskets - I'm trying a heritage variety "Green sausage" for a bit of fun
• Thyme
• Courgettes - Soleil (yellow)

We had three trees chopped down last year which should mean better crops as more sunlight gets through. My fingers are crossed especially as this is our third year of growing so we're much more knowledgeable than before. For once I'm being pretty organised and I have drawn up a monthly plan for each of the crops listed above so I know what I need to do and when. The only thing is that July - December 2009 is without activity so I'm going to be researching the winter and spring crops that would be planted then. I planted some garlic out last November which should be ready this year, so if it works I'll try it again.