Thriving (Mostly): My Gardening Wins, Fails, and Favorite Tools This Season 🌿

A few close ups!

This season was a wild, wonderful experiment in dirt, determination, and a little chaos.

I started this gardening year with a full heart and way too many seeds. I was ready to grow anything and everything—tomatoes, zinnias, peppers, cosmos—you name it, I planted it. Did I label them? Of course not. (Note to self: get better at that.) I let them stretch out and grow under lights inside, fully trusting the process, until I finally thought they were strong enough to stay outside. They were doing pretty good actually, until one windy day took an entire tray down(a tray of 36 plant babies). Just like that, back to square one.

But let me tell you something: that failure? That messy, dirt-covered reset? It lit a fire in me.

I researched new techniques. I experimented with spacing, compost(I am about to buy a barrel), pruning, companion planting—you name it. I watched what thrived, what needed a little hand-holding, and what probably won't make the cut next year (RIP tray #2). Some things surprised me. Some things tested my patience. But overall, this garden became a daily reminder of resilience.

And now? Look at these babies!!!They are thriving.(Well... most of them.)

🌿 My Favorite Gardening Tools (Affiliate Links Below)

💚 Whether you're just starting out or you're deep in the dirt like me, these are the tools and accessories that helped me the most this season.

➡️ Click the links below to explore my go-to gardening finds—and if you decide to shop through them, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). It’s a simple way to support my blog while finding items that might just become your new favorites too.

Thank you for growing with me—literally and figuratively.

The Tools That Kept Me Going 🛠️

Here are some of my favorite purchases this season. These are either absolute game-changers in my process or simply things that make me happy every time I step into my garden. I've linked them for you to check out—some are affiliate links, which help support my work at no extra cost to you.

🌱 Seed Starting Essentials

• Grow light setup I actually trust – Bright, consistent, and compact. Worth every penny.

• Sturdy seed trays – Let’s just say I now know the difference between “budget” and “breakable.”

• Moisture meter – My peace-of-mind tool for not over-loving my plants.

🐝 Garden Love Must-Haves

• Bee Magnet set– Adds charm indoors and makes the perfect gift for a gardener friend!

• Bee and Butterfly watering station --- A beautiful way to add extra pollinators to the garden!

• Kneeling pad – My back thanks me every time. Yes, these are the new rave but seriously, the pockets, the ease of moving and rinsing. It just makes sense.

• Cute but actually functional gloves – Durable, washable, and in a print that sparks joy. <3

🍅 In the Vegetable Patch

• Cucumber Trellis– These were a game changer for me. I truly missed a couple cucumbers hiding in the garden before I got this marvelous helping hand! It works like a dream.

• Harvest basket – Instagrammable and practical. And it has a couple different size options!

• Garden snips – Sharp and satisfying. I honestly tried the Dollar Store for the first week or two....that didn't last. These offer the best clean snips!

• Watering can solar lights decor --- This was the first "garden" gift I got myself when I started the hobby. It made it fun and joyous to walk down and check on all the little babies growing! The light show in the evenings is such a fun little addition.

Gardening has been my teacher this year. It’s humbled me, energized me, and filled my days with color and hope. If you're somewhere between "Pinterest dream garden" and "accidental compost pile," you are not alone—and you can still grow something beautiful.

Let me know what tools, tips, or triumphs you've discovered this season. And remember: even the best blooms start with messy beginnings.