What My First Garden Taught Me
This past summer, I planted my very first kitchen garden.
I’ve always loved the idea of growing my own vegetables and herbs- the thought of walking outside to gather something fresh for dinner feels like the perfect picture of a slower, more intentional way of living.
Of course, the version I imagined in my head looked like one of those dream gardens that you see on social media or a Pinterest boards: baskets overflowing with the perfect harvest of veggies and herbs.
It didn’t work out quite as I envisioned. While some of that did happen (I’m talking about you basil) the reality was a lot messier.
There were plants that took over more space than I expected, a few lessons learned the hard way, and some unexpected garden visitors who decided they wanted to participate in the harvest.
But honestly?
It was a fun learning experience.
If you’ve got big garden dreams yourself, here are a few things I learned that might help a bit.
Give Big Growers Room to Grow
One of my first lessons came from squash and cucumbers.
They are enthusiastic. Actually, obnoxious might be a better word.
These plants are the bullies of the garden world. They spread quickly, take up more space than you expect, and overpower other plants.
Looking back, I would have planned their space a little differently. I just didn’t know what I didn’t know.
If you’re thinking about adding squash or cucumbers to your own garden, my biggest advice would be to give them room to roam or better yet try to grow vertically right from the beginning.
Gardening Means Sharing (Sometimes Unintentionally)
One of the things I love most about where we live is being surrounded by nature. Deer, bunnies, squirrels, and chipmunks just to name a few.
The downside?
Sometimes nature decides to help itself to the garden.
My husband built beautiful enclosed raised beds, and they worked wonderfully for most of the summer. But after we left for a short vacation, we came home to discover our garden had been ransacked. Totally, annhilated.
A couple of half-eaten sweet potatoes and a few lonely jalapeños were about all that remained.
It was a little disappointing, but I almost had to laugh at the absurdity of it.
Next season, I’ll be doing a bit more research and learning ways to critter proof my garden.
Start With the Plants That Build Confidence
Thankfully, not everything was a challenge.
Some of my biggest successes came from the easiest plants (hello, basil)
The peppers thrived.
The herbs grew faster than I could use them.
And every time I gathered something fresh for a meal, it felt like a small victory.
For anyone thinking about starting a garden, I would absolutely recommend beginning with a few reliable, beginner-friendly plants. Those early successes matter.
Those little wins build confidence.
What I’m Taking Into Next Season
After my first season of growing, there are a few things I’ll keep in mind moving forward:
Give plants the space they need.
Some vegetables are naturally determined to take over, and a little extra planning makes everything easier.
Protect the garden from the beginning.
It’s much easier to prevent problems than to realize too late that the neighborhood wildlife has discovered your hard work.
Start with simple successes.
Growing a few things well is much more rewarding than trying to do everything at once.
Embrace the unexpected.
Gardens rarely go exactly as planned. Let’s be honest, mine have yet to go according to plan. But you learn, tweak things next time, and enjoy the experience.
