Time to plan. Strategic planning is important for all business, even for any hobby … take time to plan. What is working, not working, positive, undesired, or a favorite outcome to be repeated? Ask yourself retrospective questions, write down all the answers, and make a plan for the most efficient and effective strategies to implement in the coming months.
Garden Plan
What were my biggest and best herb harvests? Rosemary, oregano, mullein, yarrow, nettles, lemon balm, and mint.
Scented geranium were difficult to germinate and then I forgot to water the two I had. Try again? This time keep it indoors till fully established.
My favorite herb processed and prepared was lavender that I used to make lavender oil. I only had one plant. Next year I hope to grow some (a lot) from seed. I will clear my bed of yellow tomatoes and dedicate more space to lavender. Calendula’s medicinal benefits are impressive. One unidentified plant looked like it might be Calendula. I have to figure that out or buy seed..
My biggest vegetable harvest? Little yellow pear tomatoes that were volunteers. So many! I don’t love their flavor or texture. Soup was just ok compared to red tomato soup. “Matt’s Wild Cherry tomato” seeds from the library exchange are fruiting now and I hope that they taste more like traditional tomatoes.
Little white pumpkin volunteers are cute but took too much space and produced just a few very small pumpkins. I’ll pull those if volunteers come up again next year.
Radish blossoms and edible seed pods were a surprise delight to replicate next year even though the radishes were dry and tough.
Turnips, kale, and swiss chard were crowded out by big red lillies. Dwarf crepe myrtle next to the ugly air conditioner, purple phlox by red rose, wild flowers and Saint John’s Wort all need to be moved. Volunteer white crepe myrtle will be moved to the pool. Move gorgeous planter to top of mailbox.
Plan to Eradicate Failures and to Repeat Pleasant Surprises
I had mostly failures with vegetable seedlings, too crowded, lost and forgotten. I am going to be more intentional next year with a slightly raised bed using logs. Choosing vegetables and spacing carefully will hopefully be more productive. Better Trellis structure is going to be key for best use of this raised bed.
A surprise harvest was reishi mushroom. I love using it in my daily beneficial tea.
Overwintered but not very productive: hot pepper plants, Lantana, geraniums, scented pineapple plant, Pentas, white phlox in black pot, red mandevilles, and Black-eyed Susans. Think about pitching, repotting or planting for a boost before considering taking in again for winter.
The bed along my front wall needs to lose majority of coneflowers, looking messy. Flowers should be centered in bed. Leave empty space. Send extra old fashioned phlox on sides to daughter’s new home.
Starts of ivy and sedum along with other appropriate plants can be left out for the winter, decoratively on porches, or overwintered in garage if needed and planted poolside when the pool is done.
Hugelkultur: Disperse piles of sticks saved to prepare for addition of soil from pool dig. 1. Create raised beds close to water source for new vegetable beds around end of driveway. 2. Locate in the back five, in the woods to be beneficial as is. Also char sticks and arrange to bury with extra soil to amplify carbon effort.
Revived diseased forsythia will be great for forcing in winter and early to bloom in Spring. Missing my common country lilac bush, so big in size and fragrance, I would love to reintroduce that. Maybe my daughter’s new property will have some to share.
Strategic planning for all business
Bankers turned Gardeners, Musicians, UX designers, Trainers, AI Engineers, Media Specialists, crafters, homeowners, salespersons, families, managers, supporters, Christians, believers, doers of every matter of business can enjoy more productivity through “better and less” tactics delineated by strategic planning.
