10 New Year’s Resolutions for the Gardener

Using only non-toxic, earth-friendly remedies for weed-, pest-, and disease-control in your garden is number one on our list for a reason. By choosing chemical-free natural solutions, you are keeping everyone, right down to the beneficial critters, and everything, like our waterways, protected and healthy.

It’s almost ingrained in our brains to save water, but sometimes our gardens have a life of their own: irrigation leaks, broken pipes, faulty timers. Now is a good time to regain control of your water usage (and water bill) by inspecting your irrigation system for trouble. And if you happen to water by hand, we’re here to break it to you that it’s unfortunately not an efficient, reliable, or effective method. Consider installing an irrigation system. A “smart” one is designed to increase water-delivery efficiency and reduce water waste.

This year, set your intention to be plant smart. Luckily, natives are growing in availability and acceptance these days, which makes it easier to incorporate more of these low-maintenance, low-water beauties into your landscape. Natives are important because they preserve a complex web of life protecting and feeding beneficial creatures like bees, birds, and bugs. On the same ecological note, do a little homework and find out which plants are invading your local area and avoid planting those varieties.

Grow a love of gardening early by introducing your kids or grandkids to the wonder and magic of tending a garden. Start with kid-friendly tools, easy-to-grow plants, and a spot of their own to experiment and get dirty.

We all know great gardens start with great soil. This year, incorporate more nutrient-dense organic compost into your existing soil to naturally and easily give it needed nutrition instead of relying on synthetic fertilizers. Healthy soil can also drain effectively and retain moisture, which sets your plants up to thrive.

Did you know that by composting your food scraps you are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing unnecessary waste going into landfills? If we all remember to put our food scraps in our local street-side compost containers or our own compost bins instead of down the drain or in the garbage can, we are promoting garden sustainability and a cleaner earth.

Our gardens keep growing…and so should our garden acumen. Strive to keep learning and seek out free advice when questions or problems arise. Your local library is a great resource for helpful books, or you can join online gardening communities to share resources and get tips. Gardening is really about the journey and not the destination.

If you’ve always wanted to grow your own produce, this is the year. By growing your own veggies, fruits, or herbs, you’ll save money, reduce trips to the grocery store, and you’ll have the reassurance that everything is fresh, nutrient-dense, and organic.

It happens: You grow your own fruits and veggies and end up with armfuls of zucchini and lemons. Make an effort to spread the leafy bounty with neighbors and friends instead of letting the goods mush on the bush. Here’s an idea: Put your excess in a basket and leave it in front of your home for those passing by to happily take.

This year resolve to spend more time mingling with and appreciating the flora and fauna, either reading a book in your backyard hammock or dirtying your knees from planting seedlings. We all know we need to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature more, and what better (and more convenient) place than in your own garden.