With winter upon us, the gardening season has come to an end. This year, I decided to start my very first garden, and in this post, I’ll share the journey and lessons from this new adventure.
I am no stranger to growing plants. I grew up in the countryside and only moved to the city when I was 17, but I had never created a garden of my own. Earlier this year, I discovered that my building has a shared garden with plots available for rent. I put my name on the list and was lucky enough to be allotted one.
Beyond growing plants, I was excited about spending more time outdoors and away from screens. As a software engineer, I spend most of my day inside, staring at a screen. Gardening felt like the perfect way to disconnect and enjoy some fresh air. It was also an opportunity to do something fun and collaborative with my wife.
Garden: From Planting to Harvesting
Garden on harvest time
The first step was to clean and prepare the plot. I’ll admit, I got a bit obsessive. I measured the 1.60m x 6.10m space and subdivided it into sections to figure out how many different plants I could grow and where to place each one. The plot is not big, but I wanted to make the most of it by trying different things.
Below, you’ll find a time-lapse animation showing the garden’s transformation throughout the season. It was incredible to see how much it changed over the months.
Garden timelapse from first planting to last harvesting
In total, I planted 19 different types of plants. This might seem ambitious for such a small space, but my goal was to experiment with a variety of options to see what grew well and what I enjoyed. This would help me refine the plan for next year.
Most of the plants were grown from seeds, but for a few, I bought seedlings to transplant. Here’s a quick rundown of what worked and what didn’t.
What Thrived
The herbs were the highlight of my garden. Parsley, grown from seed, and basil, transplanted, grew beautifully, giving me fresh seasoning for my meals every week. There is something magical about stepping outside and picking fresh herbs right before cooking.
Kale, also grown from seed, was another success, although I planted more than my wife and I could eat. Arugula was also a favorite because it grows quickly and requires minimal effort.
Mint turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It thrived and became a staple in our drinks. My wife especially loved adding it to her gin and tonics.
The flowers added vibrant color and life to the garden. I planted two varieties of sunflowers, Giant and Sunspot, from seed, and they were stunning when they bloomed. We also transplanted some dahlias, red and white, which were a beautiful addition.
Garden’s sunflower
Tomatoes were a late-season experiment. When Swiss chard and spinach did not work out, I decided to buy tomato seedlings. They provided a few weeks of fresh produce, though they did not last long once the fall chill set in. Next year, I will start the season with tomatoes
What Didn’t Work
Green onions were my biggest challenge. Despite multiple attempts, they germinated but never thrived, often wilting after just a few days. I suspect the issue may have been the soil quality, pests like ants, or perhaps mistakes I made in their care. Despite multiple attempts, they refused to grow beyond a few days after germination. I suspect the soil or perhaps ants were to blame (or myself).
Swiss chard, Buttercrunch lettuce, and Romaine lettuce did not fare well either. They are not common where I come from, so I thought it would be fun to try them. Unfortunately, they will not make the cut for next year.
Brussels sprouts were planted earlier in the season, though probably not as early as they should have been. While the plants look great, they have only just started sprouting now, in December. I will need to plant them earlier next year.
A Season to Remember
More than the food I harvested, it was the experience and learning that made this season special. I discovered the importance of proper timing for planting, the patience required to nurture plants, and how rewarding it feels to see your efforts bloom. Each success and failure taught me something new, making the entire journey worthwhile. Gardening gave me a chance to spend time outdoors, enjoy sunny mornings, and engage in hands-on work. Sharing these moments with my wife made it even more rewarding.
Me in the beggining of the season
As for the harvest, having fresh herbs and vegetables just an elevator ride away was fantastic. It is hard to beat the taste of homegrown produce.
This year was just the beginning, and I am already looking forward to planning next year’s garden. If you have been considering starting a garden, I highly recommend it. It is a deeply fulfilling hobby that brings a little bit of nature into your life.
Cheers.