Growing More Than Food: Lessons from the Garden
- Chace
- Feb 11
- 4 min read
From planning to harvest—what growing our own has taught us
When we first started gardening on our homestead, it wasn’t some romantic, picture-perfect vision. It was a lot of work. Before a single seed went into the ground, we had to make decisions—where the garden would live, how big it could realistically be, and how to build the infrastructure to support it. That meant clearing space, leveling ground, building beds, and setting up a watering system. The garden didn’t just happen—it was built with intention, just like everything else we do.
That first season taught us quickly that gardening, much like leatherwork, is a process of learning by doing. You can research all you want, but until your hands are in the dirt, you don’t really know what works for your space.
Learning the Hard Way (and Laughing About It Later)
One of our early lessons came from where we placed the garden. We tucked it behind our garage and next to a tree, thinking we had found the perfect spot. It wasn’t until later that we realized part of the beds were shaded too much throughout the day, leaving some plants struggling to get enough light. It wasn’t a failure—it was a lesson. And like most lessons on the homestead, it came with a bit of humility.
Each year, we adjust. We observe. We take notes—sometimes mentally, sometimes the hard way. That process has become one of the most rewarding parts of gardening for us.
Experimenting, Expanding, and Finding Our Rhythm
Last year, we decided to add onions and potatoes to our garden, along with expanding our herb varieties. That decision alone has changed how we think about what’s worth growing. We still haven’t bought an onion from the grocery store this winter, and we’re working through the last of our homegrown potatoes now. There’s something deeply satisfying about reaching for ingredients you grew and preserved yourself—especially ones you use daily.
We also leaned into companion planting for the first time, and the results were incredible. Basil and tomatoes thrived together, and we planted cilantro among our green beans to help shade it from burning up in the summer heat. Even our herbs surprised us—they did far better planted directly into our main beds rather than isolated in their own space. The garden flourished in a way it never had before.
In just 240 square feet, we managed to grow over 45 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The garden was green, full, and alive. Neighbors and friends would comment on how beautiful it looked, and every compliment felt like validation for the work we had put in behind the scenes.
Systems Matter (In the Garden and in Life)
One of the biggest shifts for us came from creating systems that supported the work instead of fighting against it. Building raised beds helped keep plants contained and weeds manageable. We rotated through the beds weekly, focusing on one area at a time instead of trying to do everything at once.
The biggest time-saver was installing an automatic watering system with a timer. What used to take daily hands-on time suddenly became something we could rely on. The plants were watered every morning, and if something needed extra attention, we could step in and hand-water in the evenings. That balance—automation where it helps, hands-on where it matters—mirrors how we approach leatherwork and life.
Gardening, Leather, and the Long Game
The parallels between gardening and leatherwork are hard to ignore. Both require planning, preparation, research, and a willingness to learn through trial and error. Some things work. Some don’t. Some plants aren’t worth planting again, just like some designs don’t earn a place in our shop long-term.
Gardening has seasons: planning, planting, caring, harvesting—and preserving. That last part is key. We only get the garden for a portion of the year, so preservation is what carries that work forward. We’ve learned to harvest in batches and process things quickly, whether that means freezing green beans after each harvest or deciding when canning makes sense versus freezing for convenience. A little work each day—especially weeding, harvesting, and preserving—goes a long way.
A Reminder for Anyone Starting Out
If you’re just starting a garden, our biggest piece of advice is this: start small. Ask yourself what you actually want to eat and use. If you love cooking, think about ingredients you reach for daily. Potatoes and onions are two things we wish we had planted sooner—they’re easy to grow, easy to store, and used constantly.
Gardening doesn’t happen on its own. It requires patience, dedication, and care from beginning to end. But when you build systems that work for you and commit to the process, the reward is so much more than food.
For us, the garden has become another way we practice self-reliance, intentional living, and respect for the work that sustains us. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress, presence, and learning what works for your life.
-Lucky B Brand
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