My First Year Gardening: Trials and Tribulations
Why I chose to start a garden:
I originally wanted to begin gardening in the spring of 2023, but my mindset at the time of seed starting was, “I have no clue what I’m doing,” , “These are all going to die anyway, I don’t know why I’m even trying,”. So my seeds did exactly that, they all died. I gave up for fear of trying.
But Spring of 2024, I decided to dive head first. I watched people I knew garden, it brought a different light to their lives. I started being more health conscious, constantly reading food labels. I knew that majority of what we were eating, just wasn’t good for us. I wanted to be more connected to our food source. I dove right in, kept my mindset positive, and allowed myself to learn as I go.
I also wanted to help teach my son the value of growing something from start to finish, the patience that comes with that is indescribable to many. I wanted to lead by good example that if you try hard enough, you can accomplish anything.
What did I grow my first year?
I grew three different tomato varieties, bell peppers, jalapeños, iceberg lettuce, bush (green) beans, basil, dill, zucchini, different radish varieties, carrots, beets, and multiple different flowers.
I grew an abundance of successful produce with zero sprays and zero chemicals. I stayed on top of weeding (in the beginning), I companion planted, and used natural practices like hunting squash bugs. They were pesky but I did my best to maintain it.
Most beneficial gardening tip
Plant flowers in your garden, I’m begging you. I planted SO many flowers in my garden (one may say too many, but is there such thing?). There were constantly pollinators in my garden beds. The more pollinators you have, the much better production you will see. I would often sit and watch the monarch butterflies intermingle with the bees around my flowers. It was such a peaceful sight.
My gardening failures
I had so many, it deserves a post of it’s own. I was not harvesting my cucumbers young enough in the beginning, so many went to waste due to their intense bitterness. I also wasn’t picking my bush beans super frequently. Not picking frequently sends a message to the plant that it’s served it’s purpose, and slows down or quits producing. I did not have good structures for my tomatoes so they faced a lot of disease in their last few weeks.
The good, bad, and ugly bugs
Who knew a praying mantis could make a grown woman cry?
I saw many bees, ladybugs, butterflies, spiders, worms, and this lovely praying mantis, all throughout the growing season. But with beneficial bugs, there also came bad bugs which was the bane of my existence. I dealt with Squash bugs/beetles, Mexican bean beetles, ants, grub worms, you name it and I probably had them. I could have very easily got Seven spray, or other pesticides. But I didn’t. I stayed on top of managing them by squashing them when they appeared, I bought beneficial nematodes to release into my soil. As much as we appreciate the good things in our gardens, it’s natural to deal with unwanted creatures. I just tried to stay positive and remind myself that although it was a pain for me, it is life for them.
Ode to Season 2024
There is no better feeling than feeding my family and friends what I grew in my very own backyard. It’s nearly inexplainable. The joy I would feel when someone would text me and say, “HOLY CRAP, these are the best and most fresh pickles I have ever eaten”. It meant the world to me. But gardening did more for me than just that.
I use to severely struggle with my fear of dying (or anyone for that matter, but specifically my own mortality). I mean it would keep me up at night more than my own toddler would. I would be having the most perfect day, then the thought of me not existing anymore would creep into my brain and send me into a near panic attack. But in a crazy way, gardening has almost cured that for me. Especially because in the future we want to raise our own animals for meat and eggs. One way or another I was going to have to get over it, right?
Watching the minuscule seeds I planted only weeks or months ago begin to flourish, grow, and set fruit, was the most incredible experience for me. Watching how my garden helped my backyard ecosystem brought tears to my eyes. But like everything else (and unfortunately, everyone else), it has it’s time to go/die. The plant served it’s purpose, it set fruit, it went to seed, and it just, well, died. It brought meals to my table, my neighbors tables. It brought joy to my life and the most important to me, it brought joy to my son.
With that, I learned to find the beauty in the beginning and the end. I learned so much, it changed me as a person. I no longer fear my own mortality, I embrace it. Because I know that just as much as my garden left it’s mark on me, I left marks on others’ lives, and you do too. Do not fear the unknown, the what-ifs, enjoy the season you are in now and look forward to the next. Whatever and where ever that may be.
Thank you so much.
All the best,
Sierra Sowell
