Why Is Nothing Growing?! Things Aren't Going Well.

We redesigned our garden this spring and I was so excited to get everything started, I planted too early. Then there was the tragic grow rack incident, and our own personal bird of prey… this year’s garden, so far, is just a comedy of errors.
At 3500 ft elevation, our growing season is short and gets started a lot later than most. A series of unfortunate events has put me even further behind than usual. Will we even have a harvest this year? Well, at least the garden looks good. Sort of.
Come along with us as we learn to embrace the notion of “good enough”.

[@LoveOffGrid]

What challenges are you facing in your garden right now? Or is it just me? :)

[@ghoulgoil5029]

My starters died too. So I planted from seed and things are just not growing well. Still no peppers, cucumbers, or beans. Finally the tomatoes are growing. My basil has been horrendous this year. I usually make 10 batches of pesto each summer. So far zero! But my blueberries and raspberries have done well. We are not off grid but we try to grow our own veggies. We plant our leafy greens by hydroponics so we have tons of salads. Lol!

[@LoveOffGrid]

@@ghoulgoil5029 It's so frustrating when your starters die! It's smart to grow your own veggies, though. Every year is different. Sounds like you make as much pesto as I do! Do you freeze it? I still have some from last year.

[@ghoulgoil5029]

@@LoveOffGrid yes I freeze it. I still have some left over from last year but would really like to make more batches for next year.

[@sarahgeller6960]

I chuckled at the yard time bit lol! Thanks for sharing your journey with us, makes me feel less alone about all the things that went wrong this year ❤

[@LoveOffGrid]

And it's still not over! hahaha Yesterday I was weeding and got bit by flies. Now my wrist and ankle are swollen. Thank you for watching the journey unfold!

[@Montana_Ranch_Rescue]

Agree on the letting go bit 👍🏻 Accept that the plans change. Great video

[@LoveOffGrid]

Gosh, that's hard to do! And thank you! I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@cathtf7957]

Cold frames come to mind. Closed at night and propped open during warmer days. Hang in there. I've had to replant a lot because of seeds not sprouting or getting eaten. You could grow more potatoes and trade with them. Why did your pumpkins go bad ?

[@LoveOffGrid]

Yes, good idea with the bartering. I'd probably trade them for dairy - at least until we get a cow or sheep. We had a lot of humidity this past winter, then water got into the cellar during an early melt and just made things worse. By that time, I was kind of tired of eating squash anyway LOL. Our plan now is to buy a dehumidifier before winter. Thank you so much for your encouragement!

[@arcanoime]

Sometimes too much wind is also a great problem

[@LoveOffGrid]

Yes! The wind blew away my mulch in April! But it’s good for our wind turbine.

[@arcanoime]

@@LoveOffGrid Sorry I was referring to windbreaks for your small plants. And, fences made from mesh could be good options

[@TheQueenOfDreams]

Why not plant some giant sunflowers around the perimeter to make the fence less visible? Or grow climbing things such as pole beans alongside them?

[@LoveOffGrid]

Sunflowers do really well here! My pole beans are doing nothing though. That’s something to consider! Thanks!

[@TheQueenOfDreams]

@@LoveOffGrid I planted a “flower fence” around my front garden, with canna lilies and plenty of sunflowers interspersed, and I can personally attest to how much more charming it makes a garden! Plus, privacy! (I live in the suburbs. 😝)

[@TammyPayne-tl4pf]

Your garden is beautiful! We are in the okanogan highlands of Washington state your property looks a lot like our neck of the woods 😊 well love watching your progress!

[@LoveOffGrid]

Thank you so much! It's a beautiful area. Do you guys get plagues of grasshoppers too?

[@Montana_Ranch_Rescue]

I feel your pain-Montana is so harsh! Farming is way behind for us 🤷🏻‍♀️ Green field peas haven’t liked the cold

[@LoveOffGrid]

Sorry you're going through a rough patch, too. I think about my grandfather who left farming to work in a textile mill because it offered a "steady income", but it also took away so many other great things like independence and autonomy. I still wouldn't trade this life!

[@Montana_Ranch_Rescue]

@@LoveOffGrid I agree with you! Farming is our main income now & it is very scary-unpredictable-but goodness I want to hold on to it with both hands & not let go. Bring on the land is very special. A textile mill… hard work. Tough decision he had to make. Bless him, he took care of his family.

[@ghoulgoil5029]

I’m in coastal NC and my garden hasn’t been the best this year. Cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, beans that normally grow easy have been a no show. My berries are doing well though!

[@LoveOffGrid]

I wonder why your dependable plants aren’t producing. Any ideas? I hope things turn around there!