🌿 Why I Stopped Trying to Have a Perfect Garden

(And Why You Might Want to, Too)

When I first started gardening, I thought there was a “right” way to do it. Perfectly straight rows. No weeds in sight. A calendar full of carefully timed seed starts.

And for a while, I tried.

I spent hours pulling weeds, overthinking companion planting charts, and feeling disappointed every time something failed. My garden looked good for Instagram… but I didn’t feel good about it.

Then one spring, everything went sideways. A 8th frost wiped out my tomatoes. Lavender (my Samoyed) dug up my kale—twice. River (my Dalmatian) turned the watering hose into a splash zone. And the weeds? Let’s just say they were thriving.

And you know what?

I laughed.

Because for the first time, I realized: gardening isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection.

🌱 What Changed for Me

Instead of fighting for control, I leaned into the chaos. I started:

• Planting a little extra, expecting to lose a few.

• Leaving “weeds” like dandelions for pollinators.

• Sitting in the garden with my dogs instead of just working in it.

• Letting go of the idea that every season needs to be productive to be successful.

The result?My garden felt alive.I felt free.And our community started to grow—not just the plants.

🌼 Imperfection = Community

When I share the messy parts—the dog footprints in the beds, the plants that bolted, the days I just can’t keep up—people connect more.

Because here’s the truth: we’ve all lost plants. We’ve all had pests take over. We’ve all had a season that flopped.

Sharing those real moments reminds us we’re not alone.

💬 Your Turn

I want to hear from you:

• Do you ever feel pressure to have the “perfect” garden?

• What’s one perfectly imperfect moment from your garden this year?

• Have your pets ever “helped” in the garden?

Drop a comment, share a photo, or tag me:📍 Facebook & YouTube: @FoodForestUtah🎥 TikTok: @Lavender.River

Let’s remind each other that wild, weird, and wonderfully imperfect gardens are where the real magic happens.

with Gratitude and Respect,

Liz