Top 10 Things I’ve Learned About Gardening Since 2020 (Part 1)

Hey garden lovers! Briar of Barbados here, and today I’m spilling the (compost) tea on the top 10 things I’ve learned since diving headfirst into gardening back in 2020. If you’re gardening in the tropics like me, these tips will feel like sunshine on a rainy day, but don’t worry—many of these are universal. Ready? Let’s dig in!

1. Think 10 Years Ahead, Not Just One Season

When I started, I had big dreams—a hammock, maybe a swing set, the whole works. But the reality was, I had to work with what I had. *Pro tip:* Think about how you want your garden to look in 10 years. Sure, you might not be able to afford the fancy pergola now, but if you plant strategically, by the time you can splurge on that dreamy garden feature, you’ll already have mature trees and shrubs to frame it beautifully. Patience is key!

2. Double Your Budget or Prepare to Get Dirty

No matter what budget you set for your garden, prepare to double it. Plants, tools, soil—it all adds up faster than you can say "trowel." If you want to save money (like I did), get ready to roll up your sleeves and do a lot of the work yourself. ( and that goes for digging out tree stumps to building shelves yourself) Trust me, there’s nothing like a little sweat equity to make you appreciate your garden even more.

The photos above are from an ongoing pond project that was supposed to take a few weeks but has been stalled again and again because of supply issues, weather and of course money. They're very few quick jobs in the garden. Everything is project and a journey.

3. Potting Mix Is for Babies (Literally!)

Potting mix is amazing… for starting seeds and young plants. But I’m warning you, using it everywhere is a quick way to drain your wallet. Once your plants get bigger, switch to regular garden soil or compost. Otherwise, you’ll be spending more on potting mix than on plants!

4. Anything Can Be a Pot (Yes, Anything!)

One of my favourite things about gardening is getting creative with pots. Anything that can hold soil can be a pot—an old boot, a teacup, you name it. And if you’re artsy like me, a quick coat of paint can turn a basic container into a statement piece.

With these Starbucks cups I poke a few holes in the bottom, add some stones for drainage and then use them as seed starters for tomatoes so I can bury them more and more as they grow. I especially love these because it's so fun to watch the root systems develop over a few days or weeks!

5. Drainage, Drainage, Drainage!

I cannot stress this enough: whatever container or plot you’re using, *make sure it has proper drainage.* Tropical rainstorms can turn your plant’s roots into a soggy, mushy mess if you’re not careful. And nobody wants root rot. Trust me, it’s a gardening heartbreak I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

6. Always Quarantine Your New Plants

I learned this one the hard way—just because a plant looks healthy doesn’t mean it’s free of pests or diseases. Always quarantine new plants away from your established garden for at least a week. It’ll save you the headache of introducing unwelcome bugs or blights to your plant babies.

7. The Best Fertilizer for Flowers: Compost & Epsom Salt

Forget the fancy fertilizers. For most flowering plants, all you really need is good ol' compost and a sprinkle of Epsom salt. Compost enriches the soil, and Epsom salt provides magnesium, which helps plants absorb nutrients better. I use this combo on my flowering plants, and they’ve never looked happier.

8. You’re Going to Weed… A Lot

When I first started gardening, I thought the hard part would be planting. Nope! It’s weeding. You will spend more time pulling up weeds than you ever imagined. Invest in a good weeding tool, or better yet, plant ground covers or mulch heavily to keep the weeds at bay. But even then, expect to spend some quality time crouched over your garden.

9. Be Careful With Fast-Growing Plants

I’m talking about plants like Lantana, Alamanda, and Papyrus—beautiful but *oh-so-invasive*. They grow fast and can quickly take over your garden if you’re not careful. I recommend planting them in pots or designated areas where you can control their spread, especially if you don’t want them smothering your slower-growing plants.

Let's take a moment to enjoy these pictures of my dog frolicking through the overgrown papyrus in my backyard.

10. Test Before You Commit

This tip has saved me countless hours of frustration: before planting anything in the ground, leave it in its pot and *test it out* in the spot you’re thinking of. See how it responds to the light, wind, and soil. If it looks happy after a few days, then go ahead and plant it. If not, move it around until you find its sweet spot. Plants are surprisingly picky!

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That’s a wrap on my top 10 gardening lessons (so far)! Stay tuned for part two, where I’ll be sharing even more tips and tricks. Whether you're just starting or you've got years of experience, remember: gardening is all about learning and growing (pun intended). Happy planting, and I can’t wait to hear about your own gardening adventures!

Catch you in the garden,

Briar 🌱