New Year’s resolutions for gardeners

by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners

As the old year ends and the new year begins, many of us make resolutions as to how we can improve our lives and our health. This is also a good time to make resolutions about how we can improve our gardens. I have included some areas you can consider and different levels of “resolutions” you might want to consider.

Garden Rehabilitation—This year I vow to (a) review the notes I made in my Gardening Journal about plants that need dividing and areas or times of years that need a boost and act on those actions; (b) make notes during the gardening season about plants that need dividing or about areas I would like to improve on next year; (c) cut back the weeds that have grown taller than my plants.

Compost—this year I vow to (a) add organic material to my existing compost pile and turn the pile two times a month; (b) build a compost pile, using my kitchen waste and organic materials from my garden; (c) buy a bag of compost and put it around my peonies and delphiniums.

Learning—this year I vow to (a) enrol in a gardening course; (b) join the local Horticultural Society and attend the meetings; (c) call or visit a Master Gardener about one of your gardening questions.

Reading—this year I vow to (a) buy and read a new gardening book or subscribe to a gardening magazine; (b) borrow and read a gardening book or magazine from the local library; (c) buy and read one gardening magazine.

Nature—this year I vow to (a) obtain Canadian Wildlife Backyard Habitat Certification for my garden; (b) plant bird or butterfly friendly plants in my garden; (c) accept that you need caterpillars to get butterflies.

Lawns—this year I vow to (a) replace some of my lawn with flower or vegetable gardens; (b) learn non-chemical methods for maintaining my lawn; (c) embrace the fact that weeds in my lawn help to keep it green in the summer, can be pretty when they bloom and are butterfly and bird attractors.

Vegetables—this year I vow to (a) grow a good portion of my own vegetables; (b) plant a few vegetables in containers; (c) visit the local farmers’ markets often to buy local produce.

Regardless of how many or what level of these resolutions you wish to embrace, there is one resolution that I hope all gardeners will make and keep.

I vow to enjoy my garden and feel proud of what I have done and not feel inadequate for what I have not yet done.

Happy New Year and Happy Gardening from the Master Gardeners. For any gardening queries, please call Ankaret Dean at 613-278-1203, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at www.lanarkmastergardeners.mgoi.ca..