The winter months are the perfect time to reflect and plan for the future while our gardens rest. Revisit triumphs from last year and envision goals for the season ahead.
“Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year. For gardening begins in January with the dream.” — Josephine Nuese, author of The Country Garden
🌱 What were your standout successes last season?
Maybe there were some pleasant surprises: great colors, plants that were super productive and easy to care for, something new to you that thrived. On the other hand, what didn’t do well? Were certain plants “pest magnets” or just not suited to your conditions?
🌱 What challenges did you overcome?
Did you battle a siege of aphids or beetles? Get hit by a surprise frost? Survive a deluge of rain? Have to run around staking up plants that fell over in windy thunderstorm? What lessons can you take forward into the coming season?
🌱 What are your “someday” goals?
Have you been growing veggies, but you want to add flowers? Maybe you want to rearrange your flowers by color for a rainbow of blooms. Perhaps you’d like to incorporate a water feature, a fire pit, or a seating or dining area. Break those big goals into smaller phases to make them manageable.
What spaces or gardeners inspire you?
Inspiration is everywhere: Pinterest, social channels, area parks or public gardens, even in your neighbor’s yard. I follow flower farmers, florists, and nurseries on social channels; I listen to podcasts from farmers and gardeners; I have Pinterest boards full of flowers, plant combinations, landscapes, farm stands, ideas for patios… I collected lots of images before creating this water feature in 2023.
What new skills or knowledge do you want to acquire?
Browse through posts here, reach out to your local Cooperative Extension office, look for a class or training video, or send me a question using the form below!
I’m happy to help you along on your garden journey.
