by Amanda Rose Newton
New Year’s resolutions have shifted into a more obtainable, more rewarding agenda of personal well-being. While gardening might not be the first thing one thinks of when discussing self-care, growing plants can be a way to grow yourself!
By intentionally setting time to conquer a task or two a month, you are creating a pattern of discipline that encourages you to stick with it long after resolution burnout typically sets in. Discipline, in its own way, is self-care.
This year, whatever your garden dreams are, the suggested tasks below can help you tackle your goals one at a time, no matter what month you decide to start.
Garden Goals for Every Gardener
Regardless of the weather, thinking about the equipment, tools, and supplies you need is not only needed, but for us who love having excuses to buy gardening gear, it’s one of the best parts!
While no two gardening projects are the same, here are some common pieces to consider:
Gardening Journal
While not everyone may find this useful, putting your dreams on paper helps bring your aspirations to life. It’s also a handy way to remember where you planted what and what pest management tactics you used.
Equipment Inventory
Take note of what you have, what needs to be tossed, and what you could use.
This will streamline what you buy, and make sure you don’t end up with 37 pairs of gardening gloves that you swore you didn’t have. For your tools, when was the last time they were sharpened? If you are asking, it’s probably overdue.
Educate Yourself
Do you feel like you could use an extra push to get going? The new year is the perfect time to enrich your life with a class and Rockledge gardens offers seminars — excellent for those looking to learn a new gardening skill.
There are also more structured programs available at a local college near you, many of which allow students to enroll without committing to a program.
Grab your Seeds
Now is a great time to purchase seeds! Even though Florida is on a different schedule, there are so many fun herbs and flowers that can be started indoors.
We have a great selection of seeds here at the Gardens, or you can order many online. Recommended: Baker Creek Organic Seeds.
Build A Bed
The ultimate in DIY projects, building your own containers or raised bed system is a great way to control the environment veggies and flowers thrive.
If you are planting in the ground, building healthy soil beds through regenerative practices can help make your yard more plant-friendly.
Compost
This feeds back into the “healthy soil, healthy plants” concept! Using compost as well as quality soil, like Rockledge Gardens Raised Bed or Planting Mix, can help foster nutrients and beneficial microfauna needed for healthy plant growth.
It’s also a great way to make use of kitchen scraps, which is a win-win for anyone who has “recycle more” on their resolution list.
Mulch it!
Mulching not only helps hold in moisture and add aesthetic value, but it also prevents nutrient leaching from fertilizers into waterways like the Indian River Lagoon.
So many gardening resolutions end up touching on other areas of life we hope to improve, and tactics like this will help you transition into being a water-conscious, environmentally friendly gardener.
Encourage Pollinators
Plant native flowering plants in containers if you do not have the space for a large wildflower garden, or consider intercropping your veggies with beautiful blooms.
Not only is it beneficial for the eye, but it also helps encourage beneficial insects like bees and butterflies to help pollinate those veggies and fruits. Adding blooming plants adds to the biodiversity of your yard, giving back to wildlife and creating a healthier environment right in your own backyard.
Create An Outdoor Living Space
Gardening is not just about harvests or digging in the dirt. It creates a space you want to be in, created by you! By adding a table or a patio, you are increasing the square footage of your home and will get more out of the place you have invested in.
However you decide to break up your garden goals, know that just by being outside you are already doing wonders for your self-improvement. Green basking continues to be a trending research interest and studies show that you are improving your mental health just by being in nature. As you make plans to grow your garden, know that you are likely to be growing yourself along the way.
