I have a city drainage ditch behind our back fence near the garden. For three years we’ve contacted the city to clean out the silted in ditch. No response. We’ve paid for raised beds so we could keep our garden even in the flooding. We are now putting in a French drain around the perimeter of our back yard to remove the excess water from the ditch that floods out. This is a new area for us so on top of learning what grows here, we have issues with the city. We have a garden area, mini green house, an old pool deck to grow watermelons on. We keep learning.

Pesky weeds are my problem. I spend hours weeding. I love my gardens and flowers.

For 30+ years I tried my best to out wit the deer who lived in the woods where I also lived. Fences, coyote urine, cat fur, strong smells, cd disks, the list goes on and on. Finally settled on only plants they really don't like -- things with fuzzy leaves, hedge roses (big thorns), daffodils, grasses, most herbs, Goat's beard, Baptista. We made a truce with each other -- wonder in my yard all you want and I will only plant things you don't seem to like. Now I have moved to a more urban area in SE Michigan and battle rabbits!

I have a huge issue! ROCKS! I swear I live on a gravel pit! I can't dig more than an inch or two before hitting rocks...I mean LOTS of rocks! From very little to huge boulders! I've taken out a boulder the size of a bowling ball that weighed over 10 pounds. It sure slows down planting anything! I had one hole take me over three hours to clear out due to the biggest boulder yet! They all have to be hand dug due to the number of rocks I run into! My neighbor lent me a post hole digger. I had to give it back as even that was no use due to the large number of rocks I hit along the way. When I had my fence installed it took them hours to get all the holes dug by auger and they left a huge pile of rocks for me to deal with. It's insane! So, ROCKS are my issue!

My biggest problem is getting down with my arthritic knees to garden so I use pots these days. It’s just not as pretty but I do love flowers and the calmness gardening brings. .

My biggest garden challenge is seed starting. I discovered the best way for me is to start it hydroponically.

My biggest challenge is keeping out the critters even fenced they still get in

Knowing the right amount and timing to add nutrient's (or weed) so you are efficient and effective with our short growing season in Minnesota.