Lessons I Learned in my Garden This Year

I put in my first “full” garden this year and I learned so many lessons that to share with you.

On a little bit of a whim, I decided to plant a garden this year. I didn’t want to put anything huge in, but I did want enough to make it “worth it”. I ended up putting in sweet corn, zucchini, yellow squash, medium tomato, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper plants, carrots, onions, basil, and strawberries.

1. Aphids Suck!

After multiple attempts at removing the aphids, one of which I’m pretty sure almost killed both my tomatoes and peppers, I ended up completely taking out my bell peppers. The aphids had stunted the peppers so much and I just couldn’t keep up with treating the plants. Next year I plan to to buying diatomaceous earth to keep on hand as well.

This goes with most garden pests. I also had a case of powdery mildew in my zucchini plants, but luckily I way over planted those and wasn’t sad to loose one of the plants.

2. There is nothing better than spending time in the garden first thing in the morning.

We have fairly hot summers here and it isn’t uncommon for us to have temperatures over 100 degrees in the afternoon. So, the garden was a great reason for the boys and I to get outside each morning. I got to enjoy a cup of hot coffee, while the boys played in the yard and I watered the garden and checked to see what new harvests we could get each morning.

3. There is nothing better than garden fresh produce.

Not only does it feel so rewarding to bring in a fresh harvest, getting your kids involved helps to encourage your picky toddler to try something green for once. The excitement that my 4 year old got each time I got ready to make dinner with something from the garden was the absolute cutest!

4. Flowers. You cannot have enough flowers.

While planting our corn this spring, I let Brody (my 4 year old) loose with a packet of sunflower seeds. It ended up being the best decision ever. Those sunflowers were so beautiful and it absolutely got me hooked. I’m already planning out a larger flower patch and have spent way way too much money on seeds and bulbs.

I’ve had peonies for a few years (they are my favorite flower ever), but I want to plant some tulips, dahlias, maybe some zinnias and whatever other flower packers I impulse buy.

5. Know how to preserve.

Since I put in a fairly small garden this year, I knew that I didn’t need to worry too much about preserving. I had initially planned to have learning to water bath can on my list, but I didn’t quite make it there this year. However, next year I’m goring to have to make sure that I learn how to do that as I’m planning to expand.

We do have a lot of freezer space, so I did put quite a bit of the produce in the freezer. I’ve been loving making homemade tomato sauce, but since I only have 2 tomato plants I rarely have enough tomatoes in one sitting to make a big batch of sauce. So I have been freezing the tomatoes whole and I go and once I get enough for a batch I will pull them out and defrost them.

I also have been putting my food processor to the test. Shredding as much zucchini as I can and freezing it for later. I also threw my sweet corn in the freezer. I shucked it, rinsed, and placed it in a freezer bag for later.

Plans for next year

I have big plans for next year. I already said I’m expanding my flower patch, because come on they are just beautiful! But I’m also planning on expanding the actual garden area as well. I’m going to add in more tomato plants, try again with my bell peppers, add in green beans and sweet peas. Brody really wants some pumpkins and watermelon as well.

Any other suggestions on what to add into the garden?