The garden isn’t ready.
The beds aren’t done.
I moved a birdbath I absolutely should not have moved.
And I’m sore in places I didn’t know I could be sore.
But it’s time to plant.
This is not the garden advice you’ll find in books or on Pinterest—but it’s the kind that actually gets stuff in the ground when spring waits for no one.
🌱 When the Garden Isn’t Ready (But the Plants Don’t Care)
So here’s the situation: the beds are half-built, my back is already protesting, and the space I’m planting in today is wider than my arms can reach—which means I have to literally step into it to get anything done.
Is it ideal? No.
Is it real life? Absolutely.
The truth is, sometimes we have to plant in imperfect conditions because the season isn’t going to wait for us to catch up.
🧅 What I’m Planting (and Why)
I’m doing a little experiment-slash-rabbit-deterrent strategy this year:
- Onions along the outer edges of each bed
(Hoping they’ll help keep the rabbits away. We’ll see.) - Lettuce, carrots, and beans in the center
(Cool crops that can handle this spring chill)
Last year, the rabbits devoured my peas like they had reservations. This year, I’m planting defensively—hoping the smell of onions is enough to make them turn up their twitchy little noses and move on.
🥵 Real Talk: This Is Not a Joyful Planting Day
But today? I’m exhausted.
This isn’t a montage moment with dreamy music. It’s muddy, messy, and full of me mumbling “why did I do this to myself?”
And yet—I’m still doing it. Because once the seeds are in the ground, everything changes. The garden starts, even in chaos.
🌿 Lessons from the Mud
You do not need perfect beds to plant.
You do not need to feel ready to get started.
Your body might yell at you, but your soul will say thank you.
Rabbits are jerks. Plan accordingly.
💬 What’s Your Chaos Garden Moment?
Do you plant before things are “ready”? Have you ever stepped into a bed that was built too wide? Got a rabbit-repelling trick that doesn’t involve black magic?
Drop a comment or send me a message—I’d love to hear your chaos. 🐰
And if you want more imperfect planting stories, behind-the-scenes chaos, and actual tips hidden in the mud—join my email list for weekly-ish updates. No spam, just composted honesty.
👩🌾 About Me
I’m Brennan Leigh—a dirt-loving, DIY-building, chaos-wrangling garden enthusiast sharing the real story of growing joy through imperfection.
Learn more about the Chaos Garden right here.
🌿 Keep Exploring the Chaos Garden:
Here are a few more muddy adventures and garden wins you might love:
- 🛠️ Skid Steer Disaster & Raised Bed Build
Mud holes, machinery, and miracles. What could go wrong? - 🧹 Greenhouse Prep Before the Storm
Cleaning chaos, seed starting, and prepping for the next big bloom. - 🌸 Side Quest: Passageway Garden
Small space, big dreams—and probably too many flowers.
Or hop over to the full blog archive and binge the chaos at your own pace. Bring snacks.
🌱 Want More Garden Chaos in Your Inbox?
Join the list for stories, seed-starting successes (and fails), and down-to-earth DIY tips—all sent with love and probably a bit of compost.
Sign up here 💌