What Do I Plant When I Don’t Know What to Plant?
- alyssagale19
- May 20
- 3 min read
We've all been there — standing in front of empty garden beds or a pile of seed packets, wondering where to even begin. Whether you're a new gardener or just feeling a little overwhelmed this season, you’re not alone. The choices can feel endless, and sometimes the hardest part is just getting started.
If you're asking yourself, “What should I plant?” — this post is for you.
Farmer Heidi shares her top tips for getting started when you're unsure what to grow. From easy wins like perennials to practical advice about space, time, and what your family will actually eat, these tried-and-true ideas will help you feel confident about your planting decisions — and maybe even excited to dig in.
Let’s take the guesswork out of your garden plan and get growing!
Help, I Don’t Know What to Plant!
Start with Perennials
The first thing Heidi suggests is to always get your perennials into the ground. This not only establishes your crops for this year but also for future years!
Things like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, asparagus and rhubarb. Then if you are able to do nothing else, at least your garden isn’t bare for the season and you still will have something to harvest!
Plant What You Will Eat
If you don’t like it, don’t grow it! When you are growing a garden for personal or family use, choose plants and varieties that you and your family enjoy.
This includes herbs as well. Don’t choose exotic herbs because you want to try and see if you like them. Go with items that you know and love and will actually use in your cooking or baking!
This also helps you get out into the garden to do weeding and all the other tidying jobs that are required for proper growth. If you dislike what you are growing, you might not be as motivated to go out and pull the weeds or even harvest it!
Consider Your Space and Time
If you have a small garden, don’t choose items that will take up most of your precious real estate. Things like zucchini or squash will need more area to thrive. Same with other plants with vines or perennial type plants (like asparagus and rhubarb).
If these are things you know you want to grow, then be sure to give them plenty of room so they are able to reach their full potential within your garden!
Use the same thought process with regards to how much time you can dedicate to your garden. Read your seed packages carefully or do research about when plants will need harvested and plan accordingly.
If you will be away during much of the growing season, consider having someone come and care for your garden to ensure it gets proper weeding and watering done. Or maybe stick to farmer’s markets for the year instead of worrying about trying to find time to get your garden in shape!
Start with the End in Mind
Think about what you are trying to accomplish with your garden. Are you wanting fresh produce just to enjoy this summer? Are you hoping to do canning and freezing for the winter? Or maybe this is just a fun project to get you and your family into the garden together?
Your end goal should dictate what you plant. If your family is hoping for shelves of canned beets or pickles, then you’d best start with those plants in your space.
Think about what you want to see come September or October with your garden and work towards that goal!
Enjoy the Process!
Most importantly, enjoy the process. It is a learning experience and comes with triumphs and "we'll do that different next year!" Whether you only have perennials for the year or a garden full of produce that will stock your winter shelves, enjoy the time you are spending growing something wonderful.
For more tips and ideas about growing a garden, listen to Heidi and Sarah on their podcast episode from Heart of the Homestead Family:
Comentários