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====== 2015: the next year I've been waiting for ======

So much was less than par in 2014 that early on I was saying, "Wait till next year!" So here it is and what am I going to do differently?

As the rain dribbles down the gutter spout I contemplate weather that will allow typical planting, not delayed like last year. And I can already see that I'm able to focus on planning sooner rather than watching the latest downpour. I have the low tents and the hoop house already. 

So what is going to be different in 2015?

==== Low tents ====

{{  :garden:intro:2015:img_2070.jpg?280|}}Growing tomatoes and peppers in a high tent (hoop house) was so successful at the Farm that we are expanding on this to add some low tents for the Fall City garden. We had modest success with these at the home garden so we'll attempt to [[garden:cultivate:cover:hoop|improve our techniques]] here at the Garden.

==== Companion plants ====

More flowers and companion plants in the garden - and intercropping to keep companions close for mutual benefit.

==== Perennial garden ====

Thinking about some medicinal herbs and some perennial crops for food. An experiment - hoping I'll learn something about medicinal herbs.

==== Home garden ====

I have only partly used our raised beds at home, but this year will be different. I know what doesn't grow well in the higher elevation and shade so I'll plant crops that might do well.

==== Soil remineralization ====

Based on Steve Solomon's 2013 book, //[[garden:resources:print|The Intelligent Gardener: Growing Nutrient-Dense Food]]//. I'm preparing soil samples for analysis. Then I'll amend each area according to the results of the analyses. I intend to grow "nutrient-dense" vegetables by matching nutrients in the fertilizer I add to the characteristics of the soil. One trouble is, I'm not sure I'll know when a vegetable is nutrient-dense. But ever onward (upward?)! For more, see [[garden:cultivate:tasks:remineralization|the page on remineralization]].

==== Quinoa ====

Thinking about growing quinoa - a couple of varieties have been adapted for the maritime northwest and are being supplied by [[http://adaptiveseeds.com|Adaptive Seeds]], [[http://uprisingorganics.com|Uprising Organics]], and [[https://www.wildgardenseed.com/|Wild Garden Seeds]]. We're attracted by the nutritional characteristics of quinoa and aware that varieties already adapted to the Pacific Northwest may need additional adaptation.

==== Open to other options ====

Still thinking on next year's projects, but it's January now and there's time to make some of these projects happen.