Join me as I share 5 lessons from my first year as a newbie gardener. From vertical kitchen gardens to improving soil, here is how I’m growing slow.
Last year was my very first time tending to an in-ground garden, and what a journey it was! I started small with just a few beginner-friendly crops (you can see post from last year where I discussed what I planned on planting here), and while there were plenty of wins, the learning curve was steep.
As I look forward to this next season, I’m leaning into a more intentional, “slow living” approach to my growing space. If you’re a newbie gardener like me, I hope these five changes I’m making inspire your own green thumb journey this year!
1. Expanding My Garden Footprint
Last year, we installed two sets of these awesome fence panels from Amazon to define the space, and I absolutely loved the aesthetic and the structure they provided. This year, I’m adding another set of panels to extend the perimeter.
By growing the garden just a little bit more, I’ll have the room to experiment with new varieties while making my rows more defined. There’s something so satisfying about a well-organized garden path, isn’t there?
2. Getting Serious About Container Gardening
I’ve realized that container gardening is the secret to a manageable kitchen garden! Last year, I grew potatoes in 5-gallon nursery pots. They actually did quite well, but I’ll be honest: I never actually got around to harvesting them!
This year, I’m prepared. I’m finding a polycart to make dumping the soil and “treasure hunting” for potatoes easy and mess-free. I’m also refusing to “sleep on” my GreenStalk vertical planter this year. (Use my affiliate code cozykeeper and get $10 your GreenStalk vertical planter!) I’m transforming it into a dedicated kitchen garden filled with fresh herbs and leafy salad greens right outside my back door.
3. Breaking Up With (Most) Tomatoes
I’m officially breaking up with tomatoes—mostly. Last year, I planted 12 plants for preserving, but as a family that isn’t huge on raw tomatoes, the “work-to-product” payoff just wasn’t there for us.
This year, I’m reclaiming that precious real estate! I’ll keep one or two Roma plants for fresh salsa and pico de gallo, but for sauces and soups, I’m sticking to the organic tomato paste from Costco. It’s a great lesson in intentional gardening: only grow what you actually love to eat!
4. Prioritizing Soil Health
Healthy plants start with happy soil. Over the winter, we’ve been treating the garden like a natural compost bin. We’ve added kitchen scraps, ash from our fireplace, and plenty of “garden gold” (rabbit manure) from our bunnies.
Before the spring planting season begins, I’ll give everything a light till to incorporate all that organic matter. I’m so excited to see how this nutrient-rich boost helps my seedlings thrive.
5. Embracing the Magic of Pollinators
Last year, I sprinkled a few wildflower seed packets around the perimeter on a whim. The result? Pure magic. The garden stayed buzzing with pollinators, and it brought me so much joy every time I stepped outside.
This year, I’m leaning into the “cottage core” aesthetic with even more flowers. I haven’t decided if I’ll go for a curated look or just let them go wild again, but one thing is for sure: I’ll be planting as many as possible—and I’ll probably still refuse to cut a single one so I can enjoy them in the sun!
What are your garden goals this year? Are you trying any new varieties or changing your layout? Let me know in the comments below!
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