New Year’s Resolutions for the Garden

Views: 5789

It’s January, and I’ve made some New Year’s resolutions. I’ve made a bunch of them this year. I’m working under the theory that if you come up with many resolutions, at least a few will stick.

In addition to the renewed pledges of losing weight and taking my vitamins every day, I’ve added a number of gardening resolutions, as well. Here they are, in no particular order:

Look into compost tea

I’ve heard great things about the beneficial effects of compost tea, but I don’t really know much about it.

What I do know is simple: the steeping of compost in water releases the beneficial microbes that occur in compost. These microbes helped break down the compost’s original raw components in the first place. When in tea form, the beneficial microbes can be applied to foliage and leaf litter and do their thing: protect the plant from bad guy disease and break down organic matter on the soil surface.

Whether compost tea is appropriate for my vegetable plot, we’ll see. But I’m resolving to learn more and make the decision to use it by the time planting gets underway.

New Year’s Resolutions: Try something new

When you have a busy schedule, the easiest thing to do is what you’ve done in the past. That’s why I’ve been growing the same types and varieties of vegetables in my current veggie garden for the past three years.

This year, I resolve to try something new—both new types of vegetables and new varieties. I’ve never grown beets, carrots, or other subterranean treasures. This year I’ll give em a try. As for new and new-to-me varieties, I’ll turn to the seed catalogs that are filling my mailbox for their reliable source of veggie variety.

I also suspect garden centers will catch on to the growing interest in grow-your-own vegetables. You’ll see many more varieties of veggies in 6-packs and 4-inch pots offered at garden retailers this spring. This will be a welcomed changed for those of us who may not have the proper conditions to grow our own from seed.

Garden journaling

I’ve gardened all my life without keeping a garden journal. 2009 will be the year I begin. Why? Partly because of an aging memory. When plant tags go missing or planting dates become fuzzy, a note about what’s where and when it was planted will help tremendously. The journal—a simple 5×7 spiral-bound notebook that fits into my gardening tote—will be a log of the what, when, where, and hows, as well as weather conditions, signs of pests, fertilizer and pest control measures, and the subsequent results of everything.

Those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it.

Spread the veggie love

Many people are intimidated by gardening, especially if the plant is something that will eventually end up on their plates. I resolve to help friends and neighbors understand the process of plant to plate, to spread the importance—and the love—of being involved with food. It’s one of the oldest characteristics of human civilization.

Well, there they are, my gardening promises for 2009.

Happy New Year!

Meet Ellen Wells

When you’re raised on a farm, you can’t help but know a thing or two about gardening. Ellen Wells is our expert on edible gardening.…

Ellen's Recent Posts

Climate Change, Warming Temperatures and Your Garden
Read this post
Climate Change and Longer Seasons
Read this post

Membership Has Its Perks

Become a registered user and get access to exclusive benefits like...
  • Ask The Expert Questions
  • Newsletter Archive
  • PlantersPlace Magazine
  • Members Photo Gallery
  • Product Ratings & Reviews
  • Garden Club Samples

More information about edible gardening that you’re going to want