Tag: gardening for beginners

  • Why Most People Burn Out Gardening (And How to Avoid It)

    Why Most People Burn Out Gardening (And How to Avoid It)

    Starting a garden is exciting.

    Spring arrives, the weather warms up, you have packets upon packets of seeds ready to go and suddenly it feels like anything is possible. You imagine rows of tomatoes, baskets of vegetables, and a garden full of fresh food.

    That excitement is a great thing.

    But it’s also one of the biggest reasons many beginner gardeners experience gardening burnout.

    Because when we first start gardening, it’s so easy to plant way more than we’re ready to manage.

    Today I want to talk about how easy it is to plant way too much, way too fast… why that’s exactly where most beginners burn out… and how to build a garden that actually stays fun instead of overwhelming.

    If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to do everything at once, I go deeper into that in this video:

    The Excitement Trap

    When people decide to start gardening, there’s a lot of excitement involved. (As there should be).

    Buying seed varieties, choosing colorful plants, planning your bed layout — all of that gives you a little rush of motivation. It feels productive and inspiring at the same time.

    And at that stage, gardening still feels easy. (And fun).

    The plants are tiny, it’s easy to take care of them.

    You water them, check on them, maybe admire them a little bit, and everything feels manageable.

    But what a lot of beginners don’t think about yet is what happens when those little plants start getting bigger. Yes, we all know it’s inevitable. We know plants don’t stay small but what we don’t think about is the labor that goes along with it.

    Because when plants grow, the work grows too.

    When Plants Get Bigger

    As plants mature, their needs change.

    They require more water, more space, and more attention.

    Weeds will start appearing in the beds.

    Pests can show up.

    And suddenly the garden that once felt relaxing starts demanding more time than you expected.

    Now watering isn’t something you can do when you feel like it.

    It’s something you have to do when the plants need it.

    Sometimes that’s when you’re tired.

    Sometimes that’s after a long day at work.

    Sometimes that’s when you don’t really feel like going back outside.

    That’s when the excitement fades and frustration starts to creep in… and before you know it, that frustration turns into regret, negativity, and sometimes giving up altogether.

    My First Real Garden

    I remember the first year I really started to garden seriously.

    Before that I had grown a few things here and there, but this was the first year I thought I was going to grow a lot of food.

    And honestly, I kind of just winged it.

    My thinking was, “How hard can this be?” Plants grow naturally, right? Humans have been doing this forever. So I figured I’d just throw some seeds down and let nature take over… and let’s just say, she did—just not in the way I expected.

    I quickly learned that gardening involves a lot more than just “throwing some seeds down”.

    The biggest thing I didn’t account for was the weeds. There were thousands of them. At first everything looked the same to me. Tiny green sprouts everywhere and I couldn’t tell the difference between my plants and the weeds. So I didn’t know what I could pull and what I should leave. So I just didn’t do anything and by the time I finally figured out what my plants looked like and what the weeds were, the weeds had already taken over.

    There were so many that I didn’t even want to start pulling them… so I didn’t. Honestly, I completely gave up that year. But that season taught me a lot—about myself, about nature, and about what happens when you just wing it.

    And that’s the exact point where a lot of beginner gardeners start to feel defeated. (I know I sure did). Because it stops feeling fun… and starts feeling like a chore you’re already behind on.

    What I Wish I Knew Before I Started

    Looking back, one thing I would have done differently is just a little bit of research before jumping in.

    Now don’t get me wrong—there is absolutely a time to just try things and learn as you go.

    But having a basic idea of what you’re getting into makes a huge difference.

    For example, I live in a windy area.

    What I didn’t understand at the time is that wind spreads seeds—a lot of them.

    Weed seeds, grass seeds, even tree seeds… they all travel.

    So when I tossed my garden together without any kind of plan, I basically set myself up for a weed problem before I even started.

    If I had known that, I could have taken a few simple steps:

    • putting down a barrier
    • mulching early
    • planning out weed control from the beginning

    Nothing complicated—just small, preventative things.

    And that’s really the balance.

    You don’t need to know everything before you start.

    But knowing a little can save you from a lot of frustration later.

    Excitement vs What You Can Actually Manage

    One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this:

    Your garden needs to match what you can actually manage—not just what you’re excited about.

    Excitement is what gets you started.

    But what can you manage day-to-day?
    That’s what keeps things growing.

    Your garden should fit:

    • your real schedule
    • your energy levels
    • your current experience

    A small, well-maintained garden will always outperform a big one that burns you out.

    Because when it feels doable, you stick with it.

    The Harvest Problem

    Another thing beginners don’t always think about is the harvest.

    Because when plants grow well… they really grow.

    And if you planted a big garden without a plan for what you’re actually going to do with that food, it can get overwhelming fast.

    Suddenly you’ve got baskets of vegetables sitting on your counter… and you’re not quite sure what to do with all of it.

    Maybe you don’t know how to preserve it yet.
    Maybe you don’t have time to deal with it.
    Or maybe—if we’re being honest—your family doesn’t even eat that vegetable.

    And this is something I see all the time…

    When everything feels exciting, you want to grow everything.

    And I’m all for experimenting and trying new things.

    But if you’re growing squash just because someone told you to… and no one in your house actually eats squash… what are you going to do with it?

    That’s why one of the best things you can do as a beginner is start with foods your family already eats.

    Because when your harvest fits naturally into your meals, it doesn’t feel overwhelming—it feels useful.

    And that’s what keeps gardening rewarding.

    Systems Prevent Burnout

    Over time, what helped me avoid gardening burnout wasn’t working harder.

    It was building better systems.

    Things like:

    • having clear garden pathways
    • smaller, more manageable beds
    • a compost system
    • daily observation habits

    These systems reduce friction and make daily garden tasks easier.

    When your garden is designed to work with your routine instead of against it, everything becomes more manageable.

    Gardening stops feeling overwhelming and starts feeling sustainable.

    If you’re just getting started and want a few simple tools to help you plan and organize your garden, you can check out my freebie hub, where I have tons of free printable ready for you to snag up!

    Freebie Hub

    A Garden Should Fit Your Life

    At the end of the day, gardening should add something positive to your life.

    It should feel productive, peaceful, and rewarding.

    Not overwhelming.

    Always start smaller than you think you should. Learn to grow a few things and learn how your space works. Then expand your garden as your experience grows.

    If you’d like a deeper look at building a garden that’s practical and manageable, I talk about these ideas in my book Garden Smarter Not Harder, which focuses on creating simple systems and habits that make gardening easier over time.

    The Grounded Homestead Series — Book 2 Garden Smarter, Not Harder

    Gardens don’t have to be perfect to feed your family and remember that your confidence and skills will grow right along side your plants.

  • 10 gardening Mistakes Evn the Pros make(and how to avoid them)

    10 gardening Mistakes Evn the Pros make(and how to avoid them)

    Gardening—it’s supposed to be peaceful, rewarding, and the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, the garden gods throw us a curve ball. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been growing tomatoes longer than you can remember, there’s one thing all gardeners have in common: we mess up.

    Yes, even seasoned pros who know the difference between a compost heap and a spaghetti squash have made mistakes. But don’t worry—every mistake is a learning opportunity (and a great blog post). Let’s dive into some of the most common gardening blunders, including ones that even the experts sometimes make, and—more importantly—how you can avoid them.

    1. Overwatering (Because You Love Your Plants Too Much)

    The Mistake:

    We’ve all been there: you see your plants looking a little droopy, and your instinct is to flood them with water. Problem solved, right? Not quite. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes gardeners make, and even experienced green thumbs can sometimes drown their plants in love.

    The Fix:

    Make sure your soil is actually dry before reaching for the watering can. Use your finger (or a soil moisture meter) to check the soil depth. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage plants to grow strong, deep roots. And remember—plants like their feet dry, but their heads in the sun, not the swamp.

    2. Planting Too Early (Or Too Late)

    The Mistake:

    You’re eager to get started, so you rush into planting as soon as you see a warm day. Or maybe you procrastinate and plant late, hoping the season will magically stretch out. Either way, you’re probably setting yourself up for failure.

    The Fix:

    Know your frost dates! Do a little research on when it’s safe to plant in your area—both the average last frost in spring and the first frost in fall. For example, if you’re in zone 5, there’s no reason to plant tomatoes in March (trust me, the frost will win that battle). If you’re unsure, start seeds indoors and transplant when it’s safer.

    3. Not Rotating Crops (Yes, Plants Get Tired Too)

    The Mistake:

    You’ve got your favorite vegetable patch, and every year, you plant the same thing in the same spot. It’s easy, right? You know exactly where to put the tomatoes, and you’re on autopilot. But plants, like people, get cranky when you don’t give them a break.

    The Fix:

    Crop rotation is key to healthy soil and preventing disease. Try to change up what you plant in each bed every year. For example, if you planted tomatoes in one spot last year, plant beans or leafy greens there this year. It also helps prevent soil depletion by ensuring your plants don’t hog the same nutrients year after year.

    4. Planting Without Considering Sunlight (Sorry, Tomatoes, You’re Not a Shade Plant)

    The Mistake:

    You’ve got a cozy corner in your garden that seems perfect for a new plant, but you forgot one small thing: sunlight. Sure, that corner looks charming, but if it only gets two hours of sunlight a day, your leafy greens won’t be the thriving wonderland you imagined.

    The Fix:

    Check how much sunlight your plants need before you plant them. Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Pay attention to your garden’s sun patterns and try to position sun-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers in the sunniest spots, while placing shade-tolerant herbs like mint or lettuce in less sunny areas.

    5. Not Using Proper Soil (Even Plants Have Standards)

    The Mistake:

    You think all soil is the same—it’s dirt, right? Well, turns out, plants are picky. They want their soil to be nutrient-rich, well-draining, and balanced. If you plant in soil that’s too compact or lacks the right nutrients, your plants will probably not be very happy.

    The Fix:

    Know your soil! Test it if you have to (kits are super affordable and easy to use). If it’s too clay-heavy, you can amend it with compost or organic matter to improve drainage. For sandy soil, add in some compost or peat moss for better retention. And don’t forget the power of mulching to keep that soil just the way your plants like it.

    6. Ignoring Pests (They’re Watching You… And Your Lettuce)

    The Mistake:

    It starts small—a few chewed leaves here and there—but you ignore it. Soon, the damage spreads, and your garden is a buffet for every pest in the neighborhood. Even the pros sometimes get complacent, thinking they can just “wait it out,” only to find themselves in a full-blown pest war.

    The Fix:

    Stay vigilant! Inspect your plants regularly and act fast if you spot any pests. Use natural repellents like neem oil, garlic spray, or insecticidal soap. You can also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs to keep pests in check. If things really go south, a quick, eco-friendly pesticide might be needed, but always read the label to ensure it’s safe for your plants.

    Here is a little video I made a while back about some natural pest control options you can implement before buying at the store.

    7. Not Pruning (Your Plants Aren’t Hairless Wonders)

    The Mistake:

    You’ve got a beautiful bush of tomatoes, but you’re hesitant to prune it because, hey, the more branches, the merrier, right? Wrong. Not pruning can lead to overcrowding, poor air circulation, and even disease.

    The Fix:

    Don’t be afraid to prune! For tomatoes, remove the suckers (those little shoots that grow between branches) to keep the plant focused on producing fruit. For other plants, prune dead or overcrowded branches to improve airflow and encourage healthier growth.

    8. Overcrowding (Plants Are Like People—They Need Their Personal Space)

    The Mistake:

    You try to cram as many plants into one garden bed as possible, thinking that the more, the merrier. But just like at a party, overcrowding leads to stress—and in this case, poor growth and disease.

    The Fix:

    Follow the recommended spacing for each plant. If the seed packet says 24 inches apart, trust it. Crowded plants are more likely to compete for nutrients and water, and they can attract pests and diseases. Give your plants some breathing room to thrive!

    9. Planting the Wrong Plants for Your Climate (Tropical Fruits in the Arctic, Anyone?)

    The Mistake:

    You’re determined to grow a mango tree in your northern climate. While that’s an admirable goal, it’s probably not going to end well. Even seasoned gardeners occasionally get carried away with their dream plant list, not realizing some plants simply can’t handle the cold (or the heat).

    The Fix:

    Research which plants grow best in your hardiness zone. Choose crops that are suited to your climate. For example, mangos belong in tropical climates, not in snowstorms. Instead, try cold-hardy varieties of fruits and vegetables, like apples or kale, that can thrive in your growing zone.

    10. Forgetting to Enjoy the Process (It’s Not Just About the Harvest)

    The Mistake:

    You get so caught up in getting everything perfect—having the perfect soil, spacing, and harvest—that you forget to take a step back and enjoy the garden for what it is: a beautiful, living thing that brings joy, relaxation, and a little dirt under your fingernails.

    The Fix:

    Take time to appreciate the process. Watch the bees buzz around your flowers, listen to the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your hard work come to life. Gardening isn’t just about the end result—it’s about the journey, too.

    Conclusion

    Gardening can be a tricky, rewarding adventure, and even the most experienced gardeners make mistakes along the way. But the beauty of gardening is that we can always learn and improve, one plant at a time. So, the next time you make a mistake (and trust me, you will), just remember: even the pros have been there. Embrace it, learn from it, and, above all, keep gardening with a smile.