I am not big on New Year’s resolutions per se. The thinking goes that resolving to work on a goal on New Year’s often leads to failure as people abandon their goals by February. I get that. A sprinter can only maintain that velocity for a bit. Long-distance runners conserve energy and maintain a set pace–faster in the beginner, steady for the bulk of the race, and faster at the end.
I do think that gardening can work with New Year’s resolutions if the resolution fits the season. There is a rhythm in working the land. Here in WV, we have four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Rest and planning take place in winter when the cold prohibits much outdoor growth. In the spring, we get to work: starting seeds, planting… In summer, we maintain that pace: weeding, watering, picking… In fall, we harvest, preserve and prepare.
So a new gardener can have an overarching New Year’s Resolution to grow and can tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans. We could break up this resolution into seasonal goals.
Winter: research growing tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans, design the garden (container, raised bed traditional), research canning recipes to decide what vegetables you would like to grow (salsa versus marinara sauce?), and clean and organize tools.
Spring: purchase and start tomato seeds, visit the local farmer’s market and buy starter plants, plant when ready, go to a local extension office class on gardening
Summer: weed, pick, water, fertilize, go to a local extension office class on canning food
Fall: Harvest, make recipes, can food
Using this formula, a New Year’s resolution is an overarching goal with many processes to get there. In 2023, resolve to pick a goal and spend winter researching and planning the next steps.
Here are a few ideas for New Year’s resolutions for gardeners:
- Start a new garden: This could be a vegetable garden, a flower garden, or a combination of both. Consider what types of plants you would like to grow and what type of space you have available, and then plan and prepare your garden accordingly.
- Learn more about gardening: Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there’s always more to learn. Consider taking a gardening class or workshop, or simply spend some time reading books or articles about gardening techniques and plant care.
- Get organized: Gardening can be a lot of work, so it helps to have a system in place to keep things organized. Consider starting a garden journal or calendar to keep track of what you’ve planted and when you need to tend to your garden.
- Experiment with new plants: If you’re feeling adventurous, try growing a new type of plant this year. This could be a vegetable that you’ve never grown before, or a new type of flower.
- Improve your soil: Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy garden, so consider investing in some soil amendments or trying out different techniques to improve the quality of your soil.
- Conserve water: Water is a precious resource, and as a gardener, you can do your part to conserve it. Consider using drought-resistant plants, installing a drip irrigation system, or using mulch to help retain moisture in the soil.
- Get involved in your community: Gardening can be a social activity, and there are many ways to get involved in your local gardening community. Consider joining a gardening club or volunteering at a community garden.
We at From Lawn to Table will be spending this week between Christmas and New Year’s picking one or two goals we would like to accomplish this year. Vague and messy resolutions are fine as winter is all about research, planning and considering all the details.