Shutting Down the Garden: Lessons from This Season
There’s something about putting the garden to bed for the year that always makes me a little sentimental. The last tomatoes have been picked, the beds are mostly empty, and the air has that quiet, cool feeling that means it’s time to rest — both for the garden and for us.
This year was full of trial and error. Some things grew beautifully, some didn’t. There were wins, surprises, and plenty of mistakes. But honestly, that’s part of what I love about gardening — it’s never perfect. It’s about learning, adjusting, and trying again. So before we close out the season completely, I wanted to take a look back and jot down what worked, what didn’t, and what we’ll do differently next time.
We Didn’t Fertilize Enough Early On
In the beginning, the garden looked great. Everything was green and growing, so we figured the soil must be doing its job. But as the season went on, the tomatoes started looking pale and a little tired. They weren’t producing much, and the plants just seemed stuck.
Once we started fertilizing more often, everything changed. The tomatoes took off, the leaves deepened in color, and it was like the plants finally had the energy they’d been missing.
Next year, we’ll be a lot more consistent about feeding the garden. Especially the tomatoes — they really are heavy feeders. A regular schedule with organic fertilizer or compost tea is definitely on the list.
Our Watering Schedule Was All Over the Place
Watering was another struggle. Some weeks, we’d be right on top of it. Other weeks, life got busy and things dried out a bit too much. Then we’d get a stretch of rain, and the plants would swing the other way — too much water.
That inconsistency definitely showed in the plants. Some got stressed and stopped producing for a while.
We’ve decided that before next spring, we’re installing a simple drip irrigation system with a timer. It’ll keep things more balanced and free up time for other garden tasks. I’ll still hand-water when I can — it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the evening — but it’ll be nice to know the garden’s cared for even on the hectic days.
Some Plants Went Out Too Soon
I was a little too eager to get everything in the ground this year. I started seeds under lights, but a few of the plants went outside before they were really ready. The peppers and broccoli especially struggled to adjust.
They just didn’t have enough time to build strong roots before facing wind, sun, and cooler nights.
Next time, I’ll give the seedlings a little more time indoors before transplanting — just long enough to get sturdier. A few extra weeks under the grow lights will be worth it.
The Slug Situation Was Out of Control
If you’ve ever battled slugs, you know how relentless they can be. They showed up early in the season and made themselves right at home — especially around the leafy greens. By midsummer, we were going out at night with flashlights just to pick them off. It became a bit of a nightly ritual (not exactly a fun one).
Next year, we’ll be more prepared. I want to try copper tape around the beds, maybe sprinkle some crushed eggshells, and encourage toads or other natural slug predators to stick around. Anything to get ahead of them before they take over again.
Worms in the Broccoli
The broccoli had a rough season too. It seemed fine for a while, but then I started noticing little green worms in the leaves and florets — the kind of surprise no gardener wants to find. I’m pretty sure they showed up because the plants were stressed and crowded, which made them an easy target.
For next season, I want to give the brassicas more space and start using a natural deterrent like neem oil or BT spray earlier on. I might also try using row covers to protect them while they’re still small.
Too Crowded in the Broccoli Bed
That leads right into another issue — spacing. Our broccoli ended up way too close to everything else. Once it grew, it took up much more room than I expected, and everything around it looked cramped. It also made harvesting tricky and probably didn’t help with airflow or pest control.
Next year, I want to give the larger plants their own area — maybe a bed just for broccoli, kale, and similar crops. A little extra breathing room will go a long way.
The Potatoes Were Small
The potatoes were a bit of a disappointment this year. We planted them in grow bags — sweet potatoes, red potatoes, and a few petites — but they ended up small and not as plentiful as we hoped. A few bags even got too wet and some of the potatoes rotted before they matured.
Looking back, I think a few things could have caused it. Some of the potatoes we used were store-bought instead of seed potatoes, and the bags may not have drained well enough. It’s also possible they just needed more time.
Next year, I’ll start earlier, use proper seed potatoes, and mix more perlite into the soil for drainage. I might even dedicate one raised bed just for potatoes to see if that helps.
Starting Seeds Too Late
This one was on me. We got a later start than planned on seed starting this year. Between setting up the lights, organizing trays, and figuring out where everything would go, it just took longer than expected.
By the time we transplanted, we were a few weeks behind where I wanted to be. Everything eventually caught up, but it reminded me how much timing matters in the garden.
So this winter, I’ll be more intentional about planning ahead — marking down exact dates for when to start each type of seed. Having that head start makes such a difference.
Looking Ahead
Even with the challenges, it was a good season. We learned so much, and I can already tell next year’s garden will be stronger because of it.
A few things we’re planning for next season:
Trying new varieties. I want to experiment with some different kinds of tomatoes, peppers, and maybe a few new flowers.
Cover crops over the winter. We’re adding cover crops to help enrich the soil naturally before spring.
Composting. We finally have a composter! Making our own dirt will help offset the cost of buying soil (which, honestly, has been one of the most expensive parts of gardening).
Building a watering system. This one’s happening before spring. Consistency is key.
Adjusting our layout. More space, better plant pairings, and a layout that’s easier to maintain.
Wrapping It Up
As we clean up the garden for the season, it’s hard not to feel proud. There were mistakes, sure — but there were also homegrown tomatoes, fresh herbs, and quiet evenings spent watering and watching everything grow.
Every season teaches something new. You make adjustments, you try again, and little by little, you get better. That’s the beauty of it.
Next year, we’ll go into the season with a better plan, healthier soil, and hopefully a little less slug hunting at night. But even if it’s messy again, I’ll still love every minute of it. Because that’s what gardening is — a slow, imperfect kind of joy.
By Leah Ann Grace
