The Foolproof Way to Grow a Garden

no matter your skillset

I remember first trying to grow a garden. I grabbed about 30 different seeds and took over the dining room table. I had no idea what I was doing but I was determined to get the majority of our food from our garden that year. 

It was May. Way too late for most of the seeds I tried to plant.

Are you gung-ho like that? I bet you are! All or nothing to live the dream, right?

It’s been almost 10 years since that first attempt at gardening (did I mention I didn’t even have a garden to plant my seeds in?).

I’ve learned a lot each season and “failed” many times because of my eagerness and lack of foresight.

So here’s where I impart lessons learned on to you.

Start with the top 5 foods you eat all the time. 

It seems too simple and not a lot of food, right?

But get this, by focusing on your top five, you’ll be able to learn how to grow each one successfully without being overwhelmed. And having a good harvest is going to make a big impact on your grocery trips.

Splitting your focus over 4-6 different crops versus 20-40 crops. Don’t worry, each year you can adjust and add another variety as you build on your knowledge and skills.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your garden be. Those master gardeners you oogle over had to start somewhere and I bet my bottom dollar they started with a few and mastered them before they added others. You’re looking at many hours and years of hard work to where they are (and where you will be) now.

Our Top 5 Foods

For us, our top 5 are spinach, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Lucky for us, they’re not that difficult to grow. Lettuce and spinach, even tomatoes you can grow inside, year-round, and carrots are a great cold weather crop so you can extend your season and get the most delicious tasting carrots in the fall!

Seed or sapling?

The biggest decision you need to make next is whether to plant them from seed or buy them ready-grown from a greenhouse. If this is your first garden ever, I recommend getting as many plants ready-grown as you can and have the rest as direct sow once the soil can be worked.

If you’ve decided to start them from seed you’ll need to have the space in your home near a window or have grow lights. Make sure you know when to start the seeds! You can always look up grow charts for your zone.

For buying them pre-grown (tomatoes and cucumbers), then you’ll need to know the best time to buy them and how to transplant.

No matter which method you choose, don’t forget about watering and have a plan. No water, no crop.

The Benefits of a 5 Crop Garden

You also have the ability to focus on troubleshooting if your crop suddenly has bugs or white stuff growing all over the leaves.

Imagine how much better you’ll be at watering (always my downfall. Survival of the fittest!)!

Even after 10 years and three houses, I’m still figuring out the best ways for me to garden to get the crop harvest I want. I’m a work in progress too!

This year will be the year I plant the least.  Having a baby arriving in June really has me re-evaluating (and admitting I need lower expectations) my gardening plans.

You can also share with a friend or family member. Each of you choose your top 5 and you can grow extra for each other. That helps to spread the work, and gives you more variety. For example, my mom is excellent at growing celery, herbs, squash and tomatoes.  

I’m VERY excited to see how this new shift works.  I still have plans to do canning in the fall but the overall garden work will, should be, minimal. And I’m focusing it to be right outside my front door so I can water easily.

Success is what we want, not struggle and defeat.

So make a list of the top 5-6 foods you eat regularly and get your learn on! Happy planting!