Seed catalogs usher in another gardening year

The days are getting noticeably longer and a plethora of seed catalogs have begun arriving in my mailbox. That can only mean one thing...gardening season is just around the corner. I can't wait.  

2013 Gardening Catalogs (aka: garden porn)

As I flip through the catalogs, I am inclined to circle everything that I want with a big fat purple sharpie (purple is one of my favorite colors). Everything looks delightful - new seed varieties, alternative trellis systems, colorful tools, and whimsical garden ornaments. I want it all.  

Without a large budget, an ever expanding, self-watering garden, and a magically weeding fairy, purchasing everything that I want to circle is just not possible. Instead, I need to think about what worked in my in previous years, how much space everything really took up (versus how much space is available), what was the tastiest to me (and to the insects), what new vegetables I want to try, and last but not least, what seeds do I have already.  Seed planning begins now.