I’ve had summers where I wanted to rip every plant out by the roots and call it quits. Between the heat, the bugs, and feeling like my garden was more work than reward—I get it. But over the years, I’ve learned that fall is the redemption arc most gardeners didn’t know they needed.
If summer left you burnt out or disappointed, here are 5 mistakes I’ve made (more than once) and how fall gardening is your chance to make it right
Overwatering Like It’s a Fire Drill
I used to run out every evening with the hose, convinced my plants were gasping for water. But watering too often (especially shallow watering) actually weakens your garden over time.
Fix it in fall:
Use mulch to trap moisture and water less often—but more deeply. Fall’s cooler temps mean the soil stays hydrated longer, and your plants don’t need as much babysitting
Skipping the Soil Work
I used to ignore my soil until something went wrong. But poor soil = poor plants, plain and simple.
Fix it in fall:
Before you even think about planting, add compost, aged manure, or worm castings. Your fall garden will thank you with stronger roots and better growth, and when in doubt, always, always get a soil test done.
Planting Crops That Hate the Heat
Ask me how many times I tried to grow spinach in the Arkansas heat. Hint: it doesn’t end well. Some crops just aren’t built for summer.
Fix it in fall:
Now’s the time for those cool-weather champs. Carrots, beets, cabbage, radishes, and leafy greens like kale and arugula actually prefer the cold. And many get sweeter after a frost—bonus
Flying by the Seat of My Garden Pants
No plan. No rhythm. Just tossing seeds into the ground and crossing my fingers. That was me in my early gardening days—fun at first, but chaos by mid-season.
Fix it in fall:
I put together a simple Fall Garden Prep Checklist that serves as a gentle nudge—a list of what to clean up, what to prep, and what to be thinking about as you shift into a slower season. It’s not overwhelming—just the things that actually help.
Get the Fall Garden Prep Checklist
Doing It All Alone
This one’s big. When things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to assume you’re just not cut out for gardening. But the truth is, we’re not meant to figure this stuff out alone.
Fix it in fall:
Amber at Grace Walk Farm and I are hosting a free workshop to help you turn your struggling summer garden into a thriving fall one. If you’re craving a garden that actually feeds your family without the burnout, you won’t want to miss this
Save your seat for the free fall gardening workshop
If summer left you feeling defeated, fall is your comeback season. You don’t need a perfect plan or a green thumb—you just need a fresh start. And we’ve got your back.
— Jill
Whispering Willow Farm
