Gardening Lessons Learned: Triumphs, Mistakes, and a Journey Through Clay Soil

There’s something so grounding about connecting with nature—whether it’s walking barefoot, getting your hands dirty, or simply soaking in the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Gardening has a way of making us feel more in tune with the world around us, doesn’t it?
Well, that is, unless you’re in our shoes. Or maybe I should say, in our situation.

A Bumpy Start to Homesteading Dreams

When we first moved onto our property, we were excited about the idea of starting a modern homestead. We had big dreams, but soon we realized that those dreams were going to be a bit trickier to achieve than we thought. After meeting the neighbours and surviving our first major rainstorm, we discovered our soil wasn’t exactly ideal for planting—clay soil with zero drainage… every gardener’s nightmare.
If only I’d listened to the advice I was given! Instead, I let my stubbornness take over, which led to wasting some money, effort, and a little bit of hope. But let’s not dwell on that too much—I’m not one to give up easily. While I’m still not reaping the rewards of my labour just yet, I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I want to share my journey—mistakes and successes included—to hopefully inspire other beginner gardeners out there.

Mistakes I’ve Made (So Far)

Ignoring solid advice from a long-time local: Our neighbour, who’s been here for over 30 years, warned me that the soil wouldn’t drain well and suggested raised beds. Did I listen? No, of course not. I planted my fruit trees directly in the ground and lost my fig tree to root rot after a heavy rain. My avocado and mulberry trees are struggling too. Lesson learned: locals know best!

Planting out of season: I assumed that everything sold at the nursery was in season. Big mistake! While the plants grew, they didn’t produce any edible fruit or veggies. Moving forward, I’ll be sure to research planting seasons before diving in.

Overwatering everything: I watered all my plants the same, not realizing they each had different needs. Luckily, I only lost one plant due to this rookie mistake.

Neglecting fertilizer and compost knowledge: Understanding fertilizers and compost is essential for healthy plants. That’s something I’m prioritizing this year—any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Planting squash on the ground: Growing squash directly in the soil didn’t go well in our rainy conditions. Soggy plants, rotten vines, and critter damage made it clear that raised arches or trellises would be a better choice.

Growing veggies I don’t eat: Why do we do this as beginner gardeners? The excitement of growing our food got the best of me, and I planted zucchini and radishes. While they thrived, I had to get creative with recipes since I don’t typically eat them. (Zucchini muffins and lasagna were surprisingly good though!) And, of course, I’ve done it again—this time with eggplant. Do you have any good recipes?

Watch: how I used our zucchini in this lasagna recipe

Triumphs Worth Celebrating

Learning through experimentation: Yes, mistakes were made, but each failure was a chance to learn and grow. I purposely didn’t plant too much in my first year, knowing it would be a trial-and-error process.

Mapping sunlight: I created a sun map for our property, which I highly recommend. Although most of our garden gets full sun, the map helped confirm the best planting spots.

Setting up raised beds: I successfully set up three raised garden beds (though they still need more soil). These beds have produced sweet corn, zucchini, lettuce, herbs, radishes, butternut squash, and capsicums.

Growing a variety of crops: In addition to the crops above, I’ve also got peanuts, eggplant, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and capsicums thriving in my garden.

Reviving capsicums: When my capsicums were on the brink of death, I discovered they needed calcium. Who knew? Every experienced gardener out there, but better late than never!

Getting creative in the kitchen: Thanks to my zucchini surplus, I’ve learned to make muffins, brownies, noodles, and even lasagna. It’s been a fun way to embrace the unexpected!

Watch: how I used our zucchini in this muffin recipe

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, I’m determined to:

• Research and understand fertilizers and compost.
• Build trellises for climbing plants like squash and pumpkins.
• Continue experimenting with raised beds and soil amendments.
• Take more photos of the garden to reflect on later (note to self!).

Homesteading is a journey, and while it’s not always easy, it’s incredibly rewarding. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sometimes we need to make our own mistakes to truly appreciate the care and effort that goes into gardening. easy, it’s incredibly rewarding. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sometimes we need to make our own mistakes to truly appreciate the care and effort that goes into gardening.

Watch:

Final Thoughts

To all my fellow beginner gardeners, don’t be afraid to make mistakes—it’s part of the process. If you’ve had any gardening mishaps or have tips for fertilizers and compost, I’d love to hear them! Share your thoughts and advice in the comments below. Let’s learn and grow together.

Until next time, happy gardening!