Learn From My Mistakes! Here’s Everything That Went Wrong In My Veggie Garden This Year
I went into this year’s garden with so much hope. I had my seeds, my compost, and a Pinterest board full of big plans. But, like every gardener knows, nature has a way of humbling you. I made some honest mistakes, some rookie mistakes but also some that I should’ve known better. So if you’re planning out your own veggie patch next season, or just reflecting on your own gardening season, hopefully you can learn from a few of my mistakes.
I Planted Way Too Early
I got overexcited when we had an unusually warm stretch in early spring, thinking that planting season had finally arrived. So I popped my tomatoes and peppers into the ground thinking I was beating the rush. But then, of course, we got a cold snap not long after. Half of my poor plants turned limp and purple overnight. Next year, I’m waiting for the second warm spell, not the first. Lesson learned: just because it feels like spring doesn’t mean spring has actually sprung.
I Didn’t Thin My Seedlings
I started way too many seeds and then felt too guilty to thin them, so I just told myself they’d work it out and hoped for the best. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. My carrots ended up stunted and stringy, and my lettuce turned into a tangled mess. It felt wrong to pull healthy plants, but spacing matters more than I realized. Next year, I’m getting over the guilt and pulling the extras early. They can always go into salads or the compost.
I Ignored the Sunlight Map
I thought I knew where the sunniest spots in my yard were, but turns out, I didn’t pay close enough attention. My squash spent half the summer struggling in the shade while the weeds in my garden beds flourished in the light. A quick sunlight check over a few days would’ve made a big difference. So next time, I’m grabbing my notepad and morning coffee and going out to map the yard before I start planting anything.
I Got Too Ambitious
I tried to grow way too many different vegetables, thinking variety would be a fun challenge. But it ended up being super overwhelming. Between remembering what needed trellising, what needed shade, and all the different plants fighting for sunlight and water, I burned out halfway through summer. I’ve learned it’s better to grow five things really well than to struggle growing twelve things. Next year, I’m scaling back and focusing on growing what we actually eat the most.
I Didn’t Mulch Soon Enough
I thought I’d save time by skipping mulch at the beginning of the year. Bad move. Weeds moved in fast, and by the time I realized and tried to catch up, I was already losing ground. Plus, the soil dried out way faster than I expected during hot spells all summer. Now I know that mulch is not optional. It’s a first-step task, not a “maybe later” chore. It would have made everything easier in the long run.
I Overwatered (Then Underwatered)
Trying to get into a routine at the start of spring, I watered every morning whether the soil needed it or not. Then, when summer got hectic and I left on vacations and weekend trips, I missed entire weeks of watering. My tomatoes split from too much water, then wilted from too little. A simple moisture meter or even sticking a finger in the soil would’ve saved me a lot of hassle. Next season, I’ll watch the plants more closely instead of depending on the calendar.
I Forgot to Feed the Soil
I added compost in the spring and thought that was enough. But by mid-season, my plants looked tired. As it turns out, veggies are heavy feeders, especially in raised beds, and I didn’t give them the boost they needed. Now I know to add slow-release fertilizer or more compost partway through the season. Gardening really is about feeding the soil as much as the plants.
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This year’s garden didn’t turn out the way I imagined. Some days were frustrating, and some harvests weren’t even enough to throw in a salad. But honestly, I learned more from this “failure” than from the years where things went smoothly. That’s what I love about gardening, you always get another shot next year. So if your garden flopped too, you’re in good company. And if it didn’t? Well, maybe I’ll come to you for advice next season.
Bliss Donahue-Power
