I rate my 2013 growing season and resulting harvests as generally average to slightly below average: C to C-. Weather was unseasonably cool and wet through June and then hot, dry and droughty from mid July through September. Deer browsing issues early in the season negatively affected tender bean, cowpea, and root vegetable seedlings in non-fenced gardens. Raccoon issues were minimal after years of serious problems because I was finally able to bring their population under control (this will require constant vigilance on my part). Weeds were terrible. Insect and disease problems were minimal. Tomato late blight was almost nonexistent this year, which only rarely happens. Two disappointing issues were having to deal with CPB for the first time ever, and finding Asian SWD in the raspberries for the first time. SWD was found in my county for the first time only last year, approximately five miles from my location. Late spring frosts ruined the fruit tree blossoms. The first fall frost occurred on October 18, much later than the average.

In all my gardening experiences, standout crops (which I would give an "A") are generally as uncommon and rare as total crop failures ("F"). I am thrilled to get crops rated "B" which means above average quality or yield or both. I consider "C" to be average. After gardening for 40 years I have come to really appreciate "average". "Average" is the comfort zone. "Average" has fed the family for three generations going on four. I am completely satisfied with getting average crops and always consider it an accomplishment because I have experienced below-average years and they are a tough thing for a gardener and food provider. Empty spaces on the canning shelves going into the winter season are a scary sight to behold when one is counting on this food supply. My point to new gardeners is that there will be successes and failures every year, and it will be different every year. Be happy with average gardening success as it relates to your growing bank of gardening knowledge and experience, but always be trying to improve, and enjoy the occasional standout or bumper and appreciate it for what it is.

My Report Card
Beefsteak Tomatoes: D
Paste Tomatoes: C
Hot Peppers: A
Sweet Non Bell Peppers: B
Sweet Bell Peppers: C
Eggplant: C

Cabbage: B
Chinese Cabbage: F
Kohlrabi: A
Broccoli: C
Cauliflower: D
Brussels Sprouts: F
Kale: B
Collards: C

Spinach: A
Lettuce: B
Shell Peas: B
Snow Peas: A
Radishes: C

Carrots: C
Beets: D
Turnips: C
Rutabaga: F
Parsnips: A
Parsley Root: C
Celeriac: C
Sugar Beet: D
Mangel: C

Zucchini: D
Cucumbers: C
Winter Squash: D
Dry Beans: D
Bush Snap Beans: B
Pole Beans: D
Cowpeas: D

Potatoes: B
Onions: B
Multiplier Onions: C
Bunching Onions: C
Shallots: C
Garlic: C
Leek: B

Celery: B
Herbs: C
Asparagus: B

Wheat/Spelt/Triticale: C
Oats: C
Barley: C
Rye: F
Oilseed Radish: B
Amaranth: C
Sorghum: C

Rhubarb: C
Currants: B
Strawberries: F
Raspberries: C
Grapes: B
Bush Cherries: D
Tree Fruits: F

Happy Holidays, wishing all a successful and satisfying 2014 gardening season.
-Tom

Angie - peaches are precocious and may well fruit next year. It might be best for your apple if it didn't.

C minus is my overall garden grade.
Too much rain and prolonged periods of wet plants led to diseases taking hold and reducing veggie production. This was esp true for the tomatoes as all plants died off about 2 months earlier than usual. The only A would be awarded to our Blueberries which for the first time produced more than we could pick.

I feel very Montessorri, I wouldn't know how to apply a grade to the garden. Even crops that fail to produce teach me valuable things about growing. And would I be grading the garden or myself (or the weather)? Overall, I am happy with the garden this year. Things that did well out-produced my ability to keep up with harvest and distribution. Things that did less well all did so for reasons I understand and either could not affect (like rain on the melons) or were a result of an experiment or easily indentified action (inaction?) by me. My biggest success was that a couple of years of diligence in weed removal coupled with better mulching practice greatly reduced my labor during the hottest months. Next year's focus will likely be how to improve rodent control.

I would probably give every year an A just because I like gardening so much, anyway. :)

My point to new gardeners is that there will be successes and failures every year, and it will be different every year. Be happy with average gardening success as it relates to your growing bank of gardening knowledge and experience, but always be trying to improve, and enjoy the occasional standout or bumper and appreciate it for what it is.

Strikes me as a good philosophy of life. If you asked me on July 4th weekend, I would have given my garden an A. Years of learning and hard work led to my best effort ever. I had tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and peppers close to harvesting. Then, that weekend my husband had a serious accident that put him in the ICU for two weeks and required me to take a leave from my job to care for him. I completely ignored my garden for almost a month. Although I gave some things away, I ended up composting most of my harvest. Fortunately, unseasonable rain and a kind neighbor kept things partially watered. Amazingly, by the end of the summer, my husband was well on his way to full recovery, and on Labor Day, I was able to feed us from the dwindling bounty my garden was still producing. And I am full of gratitude for that.

I would give my okras an A, they were extremely prolific this year. My yard long bean would get a C as they were a bit disappointing, partly due to fertilizing and watering mistakes I made.

I'm wondering why it might be best for my apple trees not to flower. This is the first time I've planted them, although I have had pre-existing apple trees in other places that I've lived.

I'm loving the chance to hear from others. It's giving my more ideas for next year!

Angie

Flowering is OK, but fruiting can cause the tree to divert its energy from growing strong healthy scaffolds and branches that will support lifelong fruiting. And the first season or so that the tree does fruit, it should be thinned so it doesn't overbear.

You might consider visiting the Fruits and Orchards forum here, where a group of very experienced growers often discuss these issues.