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December 31, 2003

 

Promises, Promises...
Another year has gone by and after reflecting on last year's resolutions I have decided that they are worthy of publishing again (with some minor edits). I must admit that like most New Year's Resolutions some were taken seriously and others were thrown by the wayside. I am learning as I grow older (and wiser) to make resolutions that are easier to attain. I have found that it is impossible to do everything well so I might as well choose a couple of things that I really enjoy and learn to be content with my choices. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I anxiously await spring like so many of us. I have been thumbing through the numerous catalogs that come daily and have dog-eared lots of pages. Hopefully as planting time approaches I will remember why I dog-eared them. It would probably be a good idea to go back and make some notes. Was it the plant, the plant's color, shape or color combination? Important things to write down because I am sure that when reviewing the folded-down pages I will need some hints as to what attracted me to the plants on the page. Maybe that should be my first resolution of 2004 - Always make notes either in your garden journal or in the catalog when you see something that interests you. Of course I should have already been doing this resolution but I am now making it official. With resolution(s) in place 2004 is off to a great start!

Happy New Year!

~ Shelly  

New Year's Resolutions for Gardeners
2004 

  1. Keep a Gardening Journal
    Don't keep putting this off as you wait for a perfectly cute "coffee table" journal to fall in your lap.  Get a cheap spiral-bound notebook and start taking notes.  Write down the weather, soil, and plant conditions on different days.  Make notes about what's working for you and what's not.  With any luck your new note-taking habit will become an integral part of your everyday gardening routine.  This will make you a better gardener.

     
  2. Start Something From Seed 
    Seed starting can humble any gardener but it is so rewarding to take your little seedlings out into the big garden world and see them thrive.  So, use some of your spare time this winter to prepare yourself an indoor planting area and plan on starting some plants from seed! 

     
  3. Extend Your Growing Season 
    Through the clever use of cold frames and hot beds you can add many weeks to the front and back end of your gardening season.  Need some help?  Read all about it right here...  
       
  4. Conserve Water 
    Without hurting your garden!  A few simple steps can dramatically reduce your water use and improve the health of your lawn and garden.  Drip irrigation for your garden beds is inexpensive, efficient, and saves you lots of extra work.  Watering during the early morning on hot days is another simple step.  Keep reading our newsletter and we'll give you tips on watering all year long!
     
  5. Grow Something Indoors  
    Gardening isn't just for the great outdoors you know.  There are all manner of interesting and wonderful plants that can and should be grown indoors as well.  Whether it's herbs, tropicals, succulents, or anything else that strikes your fancy find some time to start growing them inside this year..
     
  6. Teach A Child About Gardening  
    Whether it's your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or neighbors, take time to teach them some small things about gardening.  Get them interested now and they may enjoy your hobby for many years to come!
     
  7. Buy Locally
    We like gardening catalogs too but we've also discovered that the best local nurseries are more likely to sell us plants that may actually survive our challenging growing conditions.  They are also a wellspring of great (and again, local) gardening advice - a good supplement to the weekly advice you're already getting from us.
     
     
  8. Plant Something Where Nothing Has Been Planted Before 
    Is there a nook or corner in your yard or garden that is begging for a shrub or some flowers? Make the most of your landscape.  Try planting in new places; areas that have not been planted before, areas where the grass might not be doing well or there is too much shade or too much sun.
     Unleash your imagination and be creative.
     
  9. Tell 10 People About Savvygardener.com 
    OK, here is an easy challenge!  Kevin and I would like every one of our readers to tell someone you know about Savvygardener.com!  We are very thankful for all the new subscribers that have been referred by our readers but there are still some area gardeners that haven't found us yet. Give them a nudge.  Here's an easy way to do it...


     
  10. Have Fun
    Really.  If your gardening is more chore than fun then you must be doing something wrong.  We don't mean stop gardening - just figure out what aspects of gardening you really enjoy and figure out how to do more of them. 

Finally...
"The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!"

~ Edward Payson Powell

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