How Will My Garden Grow?

It is only February and it snowed yesterday (that never happens here in Oregon!), but my thoughts have turned to Spring. I am ready to start planting. My three little backyard beds look so sad and brown. I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt, encourage little seedlings, and give up completely on clean fingernails.

This year I will be gardening in a much bigger space. My parents have generously allowed me to "sharecrop" at their house, in return for free range to eat whatever I grow. My dad has always been a big time gardener. We could eat out of his gardens all summer and most of the fall, with more then enough veggies to share with neighbors. Lately though, he doesn't have the same urge to garden. As his interest wanes, mine is growing. In addition to the original 300 or more square feet of raised beds, my brother built another 150 or so square feet this winter. Did I tell you there is a sprinkler system too?

I think by April I will be able to put in some greens, lettuce, spinach, peas, and green garlic. Any other suggestions for early spring growers?

I have already planned out my hardy greens bed, my lettuce bed, canning tomatoes, and slicing tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, tomatillos, garlic, zuchicini, cucumbers, beans, squash of all kinds. I would love to try some new or unusual vegetables - I am particularly fond of Asian flavors. I would also like to try to grow a shell bean as well as string beans.

Readers: Do you have any breed recommendations? Vegetables that thrilled you last year? A plant that you have been meaning to try? Have I forgotten to add something to my list?