Let’s face it. We all have them. As much as we wish we could be perfect and everything could turn out successful, the reality is that NEVER happens. So when it comes to gardening or farming, you should expect and will have failures.

How do we handle these failures? You’ve spent months caring for your plants only to have something go wrong! Do you kick, scream, and just give up? Do you decide to never grow anything EVER again? No! Of course not.

Rule Number One: Don’t be discouraged!

Especially with organic methods there is always going to be something or some pest that came in and decided to eat the plant before you could. If you’re fortunate to get some of the plant then view it and all the holes as character! Be thankful those bugs left you any at all. Research that particular issue or pest and figure out how to prevent it from happening.

Rule Number Two: Be patient!

Growing food takes time. It takes careful planning, watering, weeding, babying, etc. Don’t be in such a rush or think you’ve done something wrong because your plant isn’t progressing as fast as you’d like it too. Perhaps it’s a weather issue that stunts its growth. It could be that your soil is too dense or missing something. Try to figure out the issue and go from there.

Rule Number Three: Don’t be overconfident!

Sometimes when we’ve successfully grown something, we think we’re professionals at it the next season. I’m here to tell you that we’re not! No matter how many times, I’ve grown something, I have realized that anything can happen! For example, we grow our organic sweet basil every year, but this year something decided to eat it. Basil of all things!! Really?!? Basil usually deters pests from your other plants, but something likes our basil, so some of it has holes. The solution? I covered it up. No more holes!

Sometimes more research is necessary. If one method doesn’t work, think outside the box. Ask yourself, what else can I do? Ask other growers, watch videos, read up on that particular plant. Just don’t give up! No matter how long you’ve been gardening, something will always happen. So be prepared, figure it out, and happy planting!