Let’s talk about “starting small.”

What does that really look like in gardening? Maybe it's not what you think.

I think starting small in the garden is more about “area” than it is “number of plants.”

Starting small doesn’t mean you have to start with just one thing. One of the traps we all fall into is thinking of plants in isolation.

I’m such a small fry gardener, but I grow a lot of variety in this little space.

In these two raised beds and the landscaped area around them, I’m growing a lot this year:

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• Oregano

• Parsley

• Basil

• Thai Basil

• Mint

• Lemongrass

• Sage

• Green Onion

• Lavender

• Nasturtiums

• Sunflowers

• Zinnias

• Marigolds

• Strawberries

• Ground Cherries

• Cutting Celery

• Cayenne Peppers

• Shishito Peppers

• Pimento Peppers

• Cherry Peppers

• San Marzano Tomatoes

• Grape Tomatoes

• Cherry Tomatoes

• Lemon Squash

• Blueberries

• Meyer Lemons

• Figs

• Garlic

Some are still just sprouting seeds so you can’t see them yet. But by mid-summer this will be a tiny jungle of flowers and vegetables.

Even if you’re just getting started, go for diversity.

It’s nature’s way.

In containers, we seem to know there needs to be 3-4 different plants to make it interesting. Apply that same thought pattern wherever you’re planting.

If you want to try tomatoes, add marigolds and basil with them.

Hydrangeas? Underplant with ferns.

Mix some sunflowers with your squash.

Let go of the feeling that to start small means to pick one thing, master it, and then add more.

That’s just not how gardening works.

It’s nature. You never “master” it.

You just tend it, and appreciate what you get in return.

Inevitably, every season, some things will disappoint you and some things will exceed your expectations, but overall, the more different things you plant—even in a small space—the more likely you’ll have success.

P.S.

I talked about this topic briefly in this interview with Eric Mitchell for the People of Greenville podcast!

I’m grateful to him for inviting me on the show, even though public speaking isn’t my favorite thing. Dr. Kate Hawkins, the chair of the Comm Studies Dept at Clemson when I was there, made each of us graduating seniors shake her hand in our exit meeting.

“I want you to promise me that if you’re ever asked to speak, you will say yes,” she said.

Since she was responsible for giving me my diploma, I clearly said yes.

And now I unfortunately (fortunately?) hear that exchange in my head every time someone asks me to speak.