Gretchen at Backyard Farming (@backyardfarmingconnection): "Things I've Learned in the Garden This Year Water deeply, not daily. Mulch solves more problems than most fertilizers. Tomatoes need more airflow than you think. Succession planting keeps the harvest coming. Healthy soil grows healthy plants. It's okay to pul…"

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Things I've Learned in the Garden This Year

1. Water deeply, not daily.
2. Mulch solves more problems than most fertilizers.
3. Tomatoes need more airflow than you think.
4. Succession planting keeps the harvest coming.
5. Healthy soil grows healthy plants.
6. It's okay to pull a struggling plant and move on.
7. Every garden teaches something new.
8. Gardening rewards consistency more than perfection.

Related notes

If you’re working alone on a farm or homestead, always tell someone your plan before you start.

Not because you’re fragile—but because a tractor, a chainsaw, or a bad fall doesn’t care how capable you are.

"We have two milk cows. One for the milk, and one to turn my boys into men." ~ Ruthann Zimmerman

She said if she only had one cow she would milk it herself and let the boys sleep in. The second cow exists because boys need a reason to get out of bed early in the morning.

If you have boys and you want them to become men, give them something that has to be done before breakfast. Every morning. No exceptions.

The cow doesn’t care that it’s Saturday.