The List

Leeks, Onions, garlic, shallots
Spinach, Lettuces, Perpetual Spinach, Radicchio, Sorrel, Mizuna, Beets, Arugula, Purslane
Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Rapini, Rutabaga, Radish, Piracicaba, Turnip
Parsnips, Celeriac, Fennel, Carrots
Tomatoes, Potatoes
Okra
Cantaloupe, Winter Squash, Cucumber
Beans, Peas
Herbs
Flowers
Cover Crops

This is a list of my plant goals for the new year. It is roughly divided into plant families, except for the greens, which cover the waterfront. There are some additions and some subtractions from last year's garden list. I think I will pass on Chard in favor of the Perpetual Spinach. Peppers have been a bit of a disappointment in the past, because of a little bug that bores into the fruit and makes them rot from the inside out. Instead of fighting the bug, I'll try Okra, which is a beautiful plant and from a different family. I am determined to get Rutabagas to survive the depredations of the flea beetles this year and I am sick of not having Brussels Sprouts. This year's plan has a greater emphasis on storage vegetables. I am still enjoying my potatoes and garlic from the basement and wish I had even more stuff down there.

Looking at this list, with its 36 entries, gives an idea of the range of what is possible in an intensively managed plot. For many of these plants there will be multiple plantings and multiple varieties. Figuring it out can be done on the fly - which is pretty much how I usually do it - but that often leaves me cramped for time and space on some crops. This year I am trying to work it out before hand. The first place to start was this wish list. Next comes the piece of paper, where I will attempt to make a "picture" of my garden plans and how they will evolve over the year.