2010′s garden had a terrible yield compared to 2009; mainly because of the lack of regular feedings and little time to look after it. I’ve expanded in 2011 and intend to get my best yield yet.

4x4 Raised Bed dedicated to tomatoes. I still need to add some more soil.

I built a new 4×4 raised bed which will be dedicated to tomato plants. Instead of the string trellis method I used in previous years, I plan to stake the plants this year for better access to the plants in the middle. There will be 9 tomato plants in the new box.

In my 4×8 box, I’ll be growing peas, pole beans, lettuce, chard, carrots, cucumbers and peppers. Lettuce, chard and carrots I’ve done; the beans, peas, cucumbers and peppers are a first for me. The beans and peas are going on the back (north-facing) row allow the length of the box and will be supported by a net trellis on a frame I built out of 1/2″ electrical conduit. The frame is still in the garage for now. It gets anchored with 2′ length of rebar driven halfway into the ground. The conduit slips right onto the rebar and makes a very sturdy frame. The trellis net is tied to the conduit. My last trellis net lasted 2 years. I still need to buy a new one (and a couple of spares) for this year.

4x8 square-foot raised bed

In addition to all that, I tilled up what is about a 15 foot long by 5 foot wide section of my lawn not far from the raised beds. (Less to mow… yay!) I’m going to add some compost and experiment with growing some sweet corn and sunflowers. I’m a sunflower seed junkie, and I’m looking forward to munching on my homegrown seeds. If the corn experiment goes well, I’ll probably dedicate another large 4×8 bed to it next year.

Most of the seeds were started in the Jiffy peat pots I bought at Lowes. The peat pots are pretty handy, but flats with my own soil mixture would probably work just as well. I rigged up a single 24″ fluorescent tube that the seedlings spend 14-16 hours under each day. In hindsight, I wish I had gone with at least a twin ballast for two 24″ tubes. I’ll definitely be expanding the lighting rig next year.

The tomatoes and peppers are doing well and will be transplanted in the garden in the second week of April. Half of my basil and oregano sprouted and died within a few days. I still have one each of basil and oregano and I’m watching them closely. They will likely be planted in 12″ containers. Next year, I plan to build a small raised bed dedicated to herbs near the back door.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how the tomatoes do this year. I’ve always bought transplants rather than starting them from seed. I always seemed to buy my transplants a little late, and ended up with plants that were root-bound and slow to get going. Hopefully, starting earlier this year will boost my yields and produce better crops.