‍Planting an annual garden is a familiar ritual that also presents evolving challenges. Each season begins with decisions that shape the harvest and the gardening experience. Choosing what to plant involves balancing taste, space, time, and curiosity. Some gardeners stick to tried-and-true varieties, while others experiment with new plants like purple cauliflower, heirloom peppers, or novel flowers to attract pollinators. This personal process is rooted in experience and aspiration, where last year’s lessons meet this year’s hopes.

‍At the beginning of the 2025 growing season, my garden consisted of three raised beds.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍This year I’ll plant tomatoes with basil and nasturtiums seeded directly among the tomato plants. I selected several tomato varieties as detailed below.

‍Arugula, red and gold beets and carrots are favourites for salads. These are seeded directly in the garden. I also had some success with butternut squash and I’ll seed some directly. There is also a perennial “walking” onion, which survives the winter and self seeds.