Hardy Annuals: The Embarrassing Truth

So, this season I’m working on my transparency. I made the choice to do this, not really because I was actively trying to deceive people, but rather because the “perfectness” of social media online was driving me towards insanity. By my own nature, it’s nearly impossible to not find myself comparing how I measure up to others. Yes, I know, it’s not a good thing. Like I said, I’m really making the effort to work on it! With that in mind, I’ve decided to be even more candid with you guys about my own failures.

There are actually a couple bachelor’s buttons plants doing quite well and starting to form blooms.

Currently, the hardy annual flowers that we planted last fall are an absolute disaster. I went into the process with really high hopes and expectations, but it just turned into a giant mess. Initially, things were going fine – not great. I used a thin 12 gauge wire to try to make cheap low tunnels, as I didn’t have the cash to invest in legitimate hoop benders. The hoops held up the plastic until the first time it snowed, then they were flattened to the ground. That was the first issue.

The german chamomile is quite robust, too. I lost a lot of it, but the plants that are left are thriving. I love chamomile.

Later it the season, it rained – a lot. My basement ended up with about 16 inches of water in it, and the garden had about a foot of standing flood water. Admittedly, I was disgusted by it. Several days went by and it eventually drained. The result? 95% of the hardy annuals were done. Ugh.

There are only about 5 larkspur plants left out of the hundreds that I planted.
Aside from the weeds, I’m really happy with this little agrostemma patch.
Only about six scabiosa plants left. And, of course, the weeds.
I honestly have no clue what this is. Does anyone know?
This one bunch of sweet pea plants made it – and they’re HUGE!
One icelandic poppy plant made it. I can’t wait to see it. I’ve never been successful with icelandic poppies before!
Ugh! Weeds! Can you spot the ammi visnaga plant?

Even though these things were totally out of my control, I still can’t help but feel the overwhelming sense of failure – especially when I’m reminded of others’ success in doing what I had been trying to accomplish. The only option is to try again and keep going.

9 thoughts on “Hardy Annuals: The Embarrassing Truth

  1. The one you don’t know, maybe it is forget-me-not with a leaf of something else (violet?) poking through? The “weeds” are blooming nicely, I have the same ones, you can decide to enjoy them. 🙂

  2. Man, I’m sorry to hear about the amount of floodwater your garden had this year. When weather out of our control does stuff like this, it’s hard to feel happy with the results. I saw how awesome your winter sown plants look in your most recent video though, it makes me wish I’d found your channel three or even four months ago.
    The mystery plant looks like the calendula sprouts out in my garden, could it be that? are the leaves kinda sticky? They are such hardy plants, all mine survived the winter.

    1. Winter sowing was definitely a big difference maker for me! I love it! Also, I think the mystery plant is ageratum. It’s grown a few more leaves and looks more like the ones from last year. Thanks for stopping by the blog! Hope you’re having a great day! 🙂

  3. That is a pity.. world ain’t no sunshine and rainbows.. we readers we also learn from mistakes and glad that you report yours that we can also be better prepared.

    I just lost some hundreds of bulbflowers just because of insufficient cold treatment time.. planted them in hoophouse in february.. also I have a terrible rodent problem.. they are eating everything.. my sun flower seeds from the trays and sprouts as well.. also raninculus and freesia they enjoy..

    Everybody fails.. every now and then.. but always look on the bright side of life.

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