Garden failure happens. I know, because it was a rough season for my garden. Between hailstorms, squirrels and an energetic toddler with a stick, I have witnessed some epic garden casualties. It’s times like these that I have to remember patience and acceptance-- and embrace every garden failure as a learning opportunity. It’s a harsh reality, but it’s true: failing can teach you a lot. Plants die sometimes for no apparent reason. And sometimes you’ll make a mistake-- like the time I planted a hydrangea in my New Mexico garden. That poor plant failed SPECTACULARLY. (It did not like the climate AT ALL.) Just remember that every mistake is a learning opportunity that will help you become a better gardener in the long run. Here’s a list of my failures this year: Garden Failure #1: Sowed seeds too late. The ideal time to sow seeds outside in spring can be a very narrow window, and it varies from year to year. This year, we had a very early warm, dry spring. By planting way too … [Read more...] about Six Lessons I Learned from Garden Failure
Plant Seeds Now for a Tasty Fall Harvest
Everyone knows that spring is a great time to plant seeds in the garden. Spring is an exciting time for gardeners, and most gardens get off to an amazing start in the springtime. Unfortunately, many gardeners let their gardens peter out at the end of the season. But late summer and early fall is the perfect time to plant seeds for another wave of tasty veggies in September, October and beyond. If you don't have seeds leftover from your spring planting, don't worry. Many garden catalogs and websites have late-summer discounts on seeds-- and so do local garden centers. You can also check out the wide variety of vegetable seeds available on Amazon. Why You Should Grow a Fall Food Garden Most of us are focused on growing food in spring and summer, but fall can easily be the most productive time to plant seeds in the garden. Here are just a few fall food garden benefits: Warm late-summer temperatures mean fast germination and early growth Late summer harvests mean … [Read more...] about Plant Seeds Now for a Tasty Fall Harvest
