Sophomore (2nd-year) Gardeners: What 2 mistakes did you make last year that you won't repeat again?

I'm more like a Senior gardener but:

1. don't overcrowd the plants. Too many tall ones near the short ones and the shade will keep production way down on the ones getting less sun.

2. use mulch. I tried no mulch last year, just extra compost, and I had more bugs. The mulch seems to keep them away more effectively.

If I listed all the mistakes I made as a landscaper, Yahoo would ban me from having too much text. wow. over the years I have had some good ones. I don't mind making mistakes. They are usually due to poor planning in advance. I just hate making the same ones TWICE. The absolute worst mistake I ever made was expanding and hiring crews so I could go back and do the work they did all over again. lol.

my best advice is always stay small and do it cause you love the feeling you get when you look at YOUR own work. how bout you farm czar?

poor weed control and too little water Mulch will help both.

I won't assume that deer don't eat okra.

overcrowding and not enough shade.