How to Use Garden Downtime to Plan Your Best Vegetable Garden Yet

Did you plant a vegetable garden this year?

If so—how did it go?
What thrived? What flopped? What would you never grow again… and what can’t you wait to plant next season?

Fall and winter are the perfect times to hit pause, reflect, and plan forward—especially while the garden is resting and your memory is still fresh.

 Step 1: Reflect on This Year’s Garden

Use my free Garden Check-In Worksheet to walk through what worked and what didn’t. It includes easy prompts like:

• 🌿 What were your biggest wins this season?

• 🐛 What challenges came up? (Pests, weather, layout issues?)

• 🔁 What would you do differently next time?

👉 Click here to grab the Garden Check-In Worksheet

 Step 2: What’s Next?

Once you’ve reflected, use this quiet season to map out your dream garden version 2.0. Ask yourself:

• What do I want to grow more (or less) of?

  Maybe your cucumbers went wild—but you should have planted more tomatoes. (Me!)

• Is it time to expand or move any beds?

  Now’s the time to review sun exposure, drainage, and spacing.

• How will I use my harvest differently?

  Want to freeze more herbs?  Should I have grown more cilantro for salsa or sauces?

• Should I start a garden journal or planner?

  A few notes now can save you from repeating mistakes in spring and wondering when did I plant that? (Guilty!)

• Do I need new tools, soil, or compost?

  Add these to a wish list for Green Friday or early-season sales.

Planning now means you’re not scrambling in March—you’re sowing with intention.

Don’t Forget Your Free Check-In!

Use this season’s slower pace to garden smarter next year.
Download your copy of the Garden Check-In Worksheet and start dreaming of what’s next.

👉 Download the worksheet now

Ready to Talk Through Your Garden Goals?

Sometimes it helps to have a second set of eyes (and some expert advice!).

Book a Get Ready for Spring Garden Consult with me—and let’s plan a garden that truly works for your space, time, and goals.

In this 1:1 virtual session, we can:

• Review what went well (and what didn’t) in your garden this past year

• Troubleshoot challenges like layout, pests, or low yields

• Plan a brand-new garden from scratch—bed placement, crop choices & more

• Walk away with a simple, no-fuss strategy to grow confidently next season

Whether you’re refining what you started or dreaming up something new, I’ll help you plant with purpose—so when spring arrives, you’ll be ready to hit the ground gardening with confidence.

Spots are limited!
👉 Click here to schedule your consult

Happy Gardening!

Karen