I started a garden this spring because…I wanted to. Simple as that. It’s the first time I’ve had the time, space, and something of my own to dig into (pun intended). Honestly, it was sheer determination. I know gardening in the desert is basically “hard mode,” but I wanted to see if I could do it.

I also had this bigger picture in mind, self-sufficiency. Food is expensive. A lot of crap gets added to what we eat and growing even a little of my own felt like one way to have some control. Plus, I’m in my 30s. If I’m lucky, I’ve got another 30+ years on this planet, might as well learn a useful skill. Gardening seemed like a good place to start.

When I decided to plant this garden, my main goal was simple: fresh food for my family and moving a little closer to self-sufficiency. Honestly, I didn’t have a clear vision. No Pinterest boards, no perfect blueprint. I just wanted to see if I could make it happen.

The Plan

We (READ: my partner) built four raised garden beds, each 6 ft by 3 ft and 2 ft deep. Cardboard went on the bottom, then dirt and sticks with soil mix on top. He did the heavy lifting. I did the planning. Here’s the plan I excitedly scribbled out:

• Bed 1: Tomatoes, basil, scallions, lettuce, herbs
  
• Bed 2: Squash, cucumbers, radishes, herbs
  
• Bed 3: Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, lettuce
  
• Bed 4: Tomatoes, peppers, squash

I also bought some grow bags for cucumbers, tomatoes, flowers, and lettuce on the side.

Techniques I Tried:

Like any beginner, I leaned hard on Google (and yes, a little AI). I learned about companion planting and square-foot gardening, which helped make the chaos feel slightly more manageable. I also experimented with indoor starts vs. direct sowing. Though I lost track of what was planted where. Note to self: label everything next time.

The Early Wins

Even though I was fumbling, some things actually worked:

• My basil thrived. We love basil. Tomatoes and basil were a staple this summer.
  
• A few beets came up. So sweet and delicious. Beautiful color.
  
• Zucchini pushed through, even while fighting powdery mildew and aphids and squash bugs.
  

I didn’t preserve my herbs the way I should have, and most of the other plants struggled, but still, there were a few wins.

Planting and Timing

Late freezes meant I didn’t plant until May. I was just happy to get something in the ground. In hindsight, I could’ve started some things sooner, but that’s all part of learning. This fall, I’m taking a break, regrouping, and hoping next spring I’ll be more intentional.

The Goal

My only goal? Try it. See what happens. Learn something. That’s it.

I accomplished my goal. I tried. I failed. I succeeded. I learned a shit ton.

And you bet your ass, I’m going to try again.

Because I am stubborn.