Last year, 2024, was my first time creating a full garden bed, growing various flowers and produce. I kept my focus on vegetables and herbs we typically eat, then paired them with some companion plants. With only one raised bed, I had to strategize to set up my garden to thrive with all these plants alongside each other. This year, with a bit more knowledge and experience under my belt, I adjusted my plants to better utilize the single bed and really opt for what we love. 

How it all started

For years, I have really tried to grow my green thumb. Trust me, at first, that thumb was brown.

The very first plant I owned was a mini Jade plant in high school. I was determined I was going to keep it alive. Spoiler alert: it didn’t make it, and I was very disappointed. Somehow, though, that disappointment fell away over the years as time and time again I lost many plants. I accumulated several from friends and family (all the Pothos), and almost none have survived. Between a cat who loves soil and my obliviousness to watching the cold weather patterns, I learned that there any many factors to account for when caring for plants. But I reveled in the moments when I found new growth because it meant I was doing something right. Finding a leaf sprouting would send me over the moon. All this to say, that brown thumb eventually turned green, but it’s not a pretty green yet. She’s still lacking nutrients, but one day, she’ll be luscious.

After figuring out how to not only keep houseplants alive, but thriving, I expanded my endeavors to flowers and outdoor plants. And this, too, was quite the learning curve. Needless to say, I learned a lot and eventually felt equipped enough to try my hand, or thumb, at a full garden.

So, I did my research. I looked into my geographical zone and beginner plants for the spring season, materials to fill a raised bed, and when to begin planting. I also dove deep into how to build our own raised bed. (If you haven’t noticed by now… when I want to accomplish something new, I learn how to do it the “right” way. I research extensively. So building this garden took lots of time and effort. If you want to know anything about building your own bed, I’m your girl.)

For the 2024 gardening season, I knew I wanted bell peppers, cucumbers, and zinnias. I used these as a starting point and then researched plants that grow well alongside these, also known as, companion planting. From my research, I concluded this to be marigolds, dill, basil, and some chives.

How I adjusted

Overall, the garden grew well. There were several harvests all around, but my bell peppers struggled the most. I’m guessing from a nutrients-deficiency, but this year I’ll be investigating. I quickly learned, too, that four cucumber plants is a bit excessive when only one of you loves cucumbers (and pickles). I also learned that we enjoy to eat more variety so I only opted for a few of each plant this year to make room for even more varieties and plants.

From last year, I decided to stick with all of the plants I grew before but also make room for some new additions. This year, I’m adding peperoncini peppers and sun sugar tomatoes, as well as some dahlias. 

My 2025 Garden

Altogether, here’s what I’ll be growing…

In the raised bed:

• California Wonder bell pepper
• Purple Beauty bell pepper
• Sun Sugar tomato
• Peperoncini peppers
• Suyo Long cucumber (from seed)
• Genovese Basil – Everleaf Emerald Towers
• Dill – bouquet (from seed)
• Garlic Chives
• State Fair Zinnias (from seed)
• Crackerjack Marigolds (from seed)

And off to the side in planters, I have…

• Dahlias
• Big Band Mercury & Tall Plains Coreopsis (from seed)
• Stokes’ Aster – Peachie’s Pick
• Lavender Phenomenal
• Rosemary
• Peppermint
• Cuban mint
• Sage
• Wildflowers mix (from seed)
• Osteospermum – white variety

Let me know what you’re growing this year, or maybe what’s you holding you back! Leave some new plant suggestions or send me your questions. As always, hope you found something helpful for your soul ~ and if you do take part in gardening, you’ll learn it’s quite helpful for the soul.

OG