Start Small!

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

When those garden dreams start to sprout in our hearts, we usually imagine something big. Rows of perfect plants heavy with juicy tomatoes and crisp green beans, no weeds in sight, and not a single pest in the picture. But if you start big, with far-fetched dreams, you will end up overwhelmed and discouraged.

The truth is that the best gardens start small.

If you don’t have a backyard, grab a pot for the porch and plant something simple. Once you get the hang of it, add another pot or two. If you do have some space, start with one or two small beds. Focus on the soil and learn how to care for it instead of worrying about how big your garden is.

My mentor, Butch Tindell, always says, “A small, well-tended garden often outproduces a large, neglected one.” He also loves to quote, “The garden’s best fertilizer is the farmer’s footstep.” In other words, your garden will flourish most when you actually spend time in it.

So, start where you are, and don’t rush the process. Every beautiful garden begins with a single seed and a little perseverance. Start with what you have and grow with your garden!

-Susan Wiley