The plot you see before you is my garden plot, once again prepared for seedlings and supports and toil and effort to bring forth vegetables and fruits for the household.

It measures 7 1/2 feet across by 15 1/2 feet long, and contains not only the native soil found on the East Bluff in Peoria, Illinois, but also three 50 lb bags of dark, rich potting soil and approximately 20 lbs of composted material from my compost box in back of the pergola by the fence on the alley.

Last year's crop include corn and okra, as well as tomatoes, bell and jalapeno and banana peppers, snow peas, and radishes. The corn and okra both grew well, but failed to yield enough fruit in the small area to be of much benefit.

This year I've decided to keep the tomatoes and pepper rows, although I will be cutting back from 3 tomato plants to 2 (a Beefsteak and a Better Boy variety). I'm going to include a row of turnips and red potatoes this year, as well as three trellises, One for snow peas, one for green beans, and one for cucumbers. I'll also include a row of carrots and perhaps some radishes again, depending on how crowded the plot gets.

I'll take another photo when the plants are in and laid out, and let you know if there were any changes.

Fred.