23 Jun 2025 4 min read

Garden Update - June 2025

Rain, Growth, and a Whole Lot of Chaos: A Garden Update from Zone 8a

Here in Georgia, it has rained nearly every day for the past six weeks. Some days we get a quick shower or an intense downpour; other days, it rains nonstop. A few weekends ago, we even lost power for over six hours after a tree limb caused a powerline to catch fire.

Despite the weather, the rain has mostly been a blessing for my garden. Sure, a few storms were strong enough to snap some plants in half, but most of my garden is thriving—tall, strong, and vibrantly green. I’m honestly shocked that I managed to grow anything from seed!

This sweet bee fell asleep in a tomatillo flower.

This year, I’ve only purchased a few actual plants: a blueberry bush (which hasn’t done much yet), two strawberry plants (producing the tiniest, booty-shaped berries), basil, mint, and bee balm. The rest of my garden has come from seeds, most of which I got for free through my local library’s seed library. If you haven’t checked to see if your library offers one, I highly recommend it!

Here’s a rundown of what I’m currently growing—and what I still hope to plant.

Currently Growing

Tomatoes – A few varieties, including cherry tomatoes
Tomatillos – Purple Hull
Hot Peppers – Jalapeños, habaneros, serranos
Cucumbers
Watermelon
Rosemary
Basil (yes, more than one!)
Bean plant
Marigolds
Strawberries
Blueberries
Sunflowers
Thai butterfly pea plant
Catnip
Gardenia tree
Bee balm
Mint
Non-toxic flowers – Bachelor buttons, snapdragons, etc.

Hoping to Plant

Garlic
Chamomile
Cosmos
Canterbury bells
Zinnias
Scarlet sage
Brussels sprouts
Peanuts
Cabbage
Camellias
Jasmine
English climbing roses
Pumpkins

So far, the only things that have bloomed or produced fruit are the marigolds and a few tomatoes. Still, the whole experience has been so rewarding. I’ve spotted some amazing pollinators—like the sweetest little bumblebee visiting every flower in my raised bed. I’ve also seen plenty of ladybugs, butterflies, and, unfortunately, a few pests I’d rather not mention (looking at you, cucumber beetle and beet armyworm).

One of many ladybugs I've found visiting my garden.

Let’s be real: I had no idea what I was doing at the start. I planted way too many things in too small a space because I was afraid nothing would grow. I had read Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew and binged Epic Gardening on YouTube, so I knew what I should be doing spacing-wise… and I completely ignored it. Chaos planting just felt right. And somehow, it worked.

I’ve had to prune heavily, transplant to larger pots, and even give plants away to neighbors. It’s been such a wild and wonderful learning experience.

What’s Next?

I’m still planning out my fall garden. I’d love to start garlic, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Since I’m in Zone 8a, I have plenty of options—it’s not too hot, and not too cold, which makes experimenting fun.

I’ll definitely be sharing more once I start harvesting. My dream is to make homemade salsa and hot sauce from my garden! I’m also planning to add more flowers to our beds, especially fragrant and dog-safe varieties. I’m eyeing camellias, jasmine, lilacs—anything lovely that can help mask the not-so-lovely smells from the nearby chicken farms. (North Georgia = Tyson central.)

How’s your garden growing?
What have you planted or hope to grow?
Curious about gardening but haven’t started yet? I’d love to hear your questions—I’m still a novice myself, but happy to share what I’ve learned!

P.S. I’ll be linking some of my favorite gardening products and resources below. Some will be affiliate links (and I’ll clearly mark them), but not all. My goal is to share things that have really helped me in hopes they help you too.

YouTube Channels:
https://www.youtube.com/@RedleafRanch
https://www.youtube.com/@epicgardening

Etsy Stores:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SeedGeeks
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SodaCityGreens

Products