When we had our yard landscaped, it upended everything I was doing before with the garden. But honestly? That’s not a bad thing. It forced me to rethink the whole setup.

When we had our yard landscaped, it upended everything I was doing before with the garden. But honestly? That’s not a bad thing. It forced me to rethink the whole setup.

Here’s what I did: I took a map of the new yard and identified all the potential places where I could put plants and containers. I marked out the dirt areas where I could plant directly, the rock/paved areas where I could place pots, and everything in between. The goal was simple—figure out what could actually grow in each space.

Then came the real work: assessing each zone. Some areas get lots of shade. Others get full sun. Some are sheltered; others catch wind. Once I understood what each space offered, I made a list of plants that could thrive in those conditions.

Phase One: Getting Started

Yesterday, my son and I dove into the first planting phase. We focused on two dirt plots we have in the yard.

The first plot, against the house, had a grape center for the past 10-12 years. We decided to repurpose it this year with beets and different kinds of onions. Here’s the efficient method we used: we drew lines in the soil with a stick, then planted seeds along those lines. Much faster and cleaner than digging individual holes. We planted densely knowing we’d thin them out later—something I’ve learned is crucial for a good harvest. I used to skip the thinning step and always ended up with small, stunted plants. This year, we’re doing it right.

The second plot, in the back of the yard, is larger. We planted lettuce, beets, and I’m trying something new: three mounds where I planted zucchini and cucumbers. I originally thought about adding bush beans, but space got tight. Still, I worked out where they can go, so it’ll all fit.

It’s a solid start to the season. I’m sure we’ll adjust as things grow, but having a plan and actually executing it feels good. Hopefully this setup will be way more productive than before.