Written by Jan Green

January – a time for new beginnings. This is when we look back on 2025 to assess our work and then ahead to 2026 to apply anything new we have learned. Fortunately, the end of January gave us the opportunity to sit down and do some serious thinking as we were forced to stay indoors due to inclement weather. Slick roads and extreme cold made it a perfect time to plan for the upcoming year. And planning for the year ahead was an enjoyable way to fight off cabin fever, snuggled up on the sofa with a hot cup of tea and scouring the internet for new ideas. Then there’s the excitement of finding what could be the perfect solution to a seemingly unsolvable garden problem. Of course time will tell, but we can’t wait to try our new discoveries whatever the final outcome.

One of our biggest challenges this last year was with cucumber beetles that attacked our cucumber plants. We don’t want another year like this one in that regard. After hours of research, we now have a new battle plan for the upcoming year-completely organic. We will keep you informed as our ongoing war continues this spring, and hopefully we’ll have some good ideas to share.

Root knot nematode has also been an issue for us, although from what’s been written, it never completely goes away. Supposedly the best you can do is learn to live with and control it. Here again we will be adding one more strategy to our bag of tricks to keep the nematodes under control. Our plan of attack, or professionally speaking our IPM (integrated pest management) program grows every year.

Earlier in the month when the weather was near perfect and we were able to get out and about, time was spent planting onions-lots of onions, over 1000 onions. They were coming along nicely until old man winter decided to pay a visit. We took precautions as best we could as word of the approaching arctic blast circulated. The onion beds, along with the strawberries, were all covered with an extra layer of straw. Then metal arches were put in place, a covering placed overtop, and finally anchored down to the ground with t-posts, rocks, weighted bags or anything heavy we could find. But multiple days below freezing, significantly below freezing, was quite a challenge. Presently the plants have not been uncovered, and I suspect the soil may still be frozen. Time will tell. This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve faced this dilemma. At the worst, we’d have to replant, but we’re hoping most of the onions and all of the strawberries were up to the challenge. The asparagus that had just started to poke its head out of the soil decided the time was not yet right to make its grand entry. The warm temperatures early in January had it quite confused. It quickly headed back underground where it will be safe for now, but we expect to see it down the road again as things warm up.

So all the seeds have been ordered, and the layout of what goes in each of the garden beds decided. When the weather says, “It’s time,” we want to hit the ground running. For now, it’s just about time to start some of those seeds indoors so we can get a jump start on planting in the spring. There’s still pruning to do in the orchard and definitely prayers for more cooperation from Mother Earth this year when it comes to our fruit trees. It would be great to have some of those juicy peaches and plums that were stolen from us the last couple of years. If it’s not the weather, it’s the raccoons. Blackberries and figs would be appreciated by many as well. Maybe even a basket of pears. Fruit is always a favorite as we do what we can to feed those in need.

We won’t be sitting back anytime soon unless another arctic blast heads our way. There’s still plenty of work to do before springtime arrives. Soon the elbon rye will need to be terminated so it has time to break down before plants start going into the ground. We hope it has done what it was planted to do. First of all, it should help control our nematodes by trapping them in its fibrous roots. (One of our many strategies.) Second, it should also help enrich the garden soil- definitely a win, win.

We plan to practice a little more companion planting this year to help trap and control garden pests as well as attract beneficial insects. These helpers will be in the form of a variety of flowers and herbs. We’ll take all the help we can get in our fight against the forces of evil found around us in the garden- those squash bugs, vine borers, aphids, cucumber beetles, nematode, and more. They all want their share of the harvest, or what they think should be their share. Problem is, they think their share should be all of it. .

So every year we spend a considerable amount of time at the beginning of the year dreaming of those big, beautiful harvests- juicy, red tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and more. But at the same time, we also spend a considerable amount of time preparing for the challenges we may have faced before but were not able to overcome. In other words, the bugs won the battle. We’ve done more homework, so bring them on. This time we’re ready for them, hopefully. And get ready for several thousand pounds of fresh, homegrown produce going out into our local community. We have a long ways to go. Less than 10 pounds was harvested this past month, and we hope to come close to four tons when the 2026 growing season comes to an end. Impossible? Not at all! But we will need help. Mother Nature and the garden pests need to cooperate. Plus, most importantly, we need volunteers. Would you like fresh air, sunshine, exercise, camaraderie, and challenges all while helping our community? If so, see you at the garden.