Each year I “put in” a garden, I’m reminded of the quiet wisdom it offers. This year, my cucumbers taught me that too much water can be just as harmful as not enough—and maybe even worse.
Life Lesson #1: Too much of a good thing is still too much.
After growing impatient waiting for my bean seeds to sprout, I bought bean plants from our local farmer’s market. I planted them with care in the well-prepared soil of my desk-high raised bed and watered them diligently. Eventually, the seeds I’d planted began to sprout—vibrant, green, healthy, and insect-free. Meanwhile, the store-bought plants struggled, set back by heavy rains.
Life Lesson #2: Timing plays a big role in both success and failure.
Our community garden plots sit on the site of a former airport. As you might imagine, runways are placed where wind is common—and we get plenty of it. The constant breeze blows seeds out of their trenches, dries the soil quickly, and carries dust and debris.
Life Lesson #3: Where you do something can affect how well it turns out. Location matters.
Then there are the critters—chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, deer, a fox, even a hawk. Most of them leave my plot alone, thanks to a biodegradable “Deer and Rabbit Be Gone” spray I apply to the outside of the raised bed every few weeks during the growing season.
Life Lesson #4: Encouraging unwanted visitors to look elsewhere—especially at harvest time—is a wise strategy.
Tending the garden also gives me a reason to spend time in nature. The truth is, the garden doesn’t need me to grow—it does that naturally. But preparing the soil is essential.
Life Lesson #5: Creating the right conditions is the first step toward success. What do I need to do to prepare?
So there you have it—my five lessons from the garden (so far) in 2025, more to come.