planting fewer things

2026 · 04

Second spring of trying to grow things on the little bit of space we have, and I've taken last year's lesson, when I planted far too much out of pure optimism and ended up with more basil than two people could eat and three apologetic tomatoes.

So this year, fewer pots. Better ones. I picked the things that actually worked and quietly dropped the ones that sulked or died on day two. No more of the plant that expired immediately last spring, whatever it was. Never did learn its name, which is half the problem.

Which brings me to the other resolution, if I'm allowed one that isn't a January one. I labelled everything. Little wooden markers, pencil so the rain doesn't wash them off. Last year I was so sure I'd remember what was what and of course didn't, and spent weeks squinting at seedlings trying to guess. Not this time.

The neighbour came by with a tray of seedlings again, reliable as the season itself, and talked me out of two things I was about to overplant. I listened this time. We'll see what comes of it, but the balcony already looks calmer.