Going and Growing Green:Gardeners Make New Year Resolutions

Gardeners in our region never really get a break from their tasks, but the New Year is a nice starting point to take stock of what worked in the garden last year, what can be improved, and what we dream of adding.

I asked several local gardeners what their New Year Gardening and many shared some wonderful ideas.

Many said they wanted to start edible gardens or expand want they are already growing to eat. Kathy Parrent, a condo owner, near Piney-Branch Road said. “My gardening resolution for 2012 is to succeed at growing lettuce in my patio garden!”

Some gardeners resolved to plant a vegetable garden with their children for a family activity. Other gardeners wanted to increase their yields by better planning and starting seedlings indoors now to get a jump on the early spring season.

“Our gardening resolution for the new year is to schedule our plantings to make the most of our vegetable patch to ensure we are able to enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the warm months. Also, I want to plant sunflowers,” shared Mike Carvalho on Glenhaven Drive of Silver Spring, MD.

Many gardeners mentioned wanting to try new things in their gardens – or at least varieties that were new-to-them. Trying out more heirloom edibles, specifically tomatoes, was a popular resolution.

Starting from seed was a common resolution. Seeds offer more variety than among the typical offerings you can find in local garden center. They are also much less expensive.

Gardening for wildlife was on the mind of many area gardeners. Mavis Burdett on Autumn Ridge Circle in Silver Spring, MD pledged, “This year I resolve to research and plant an evergreen in the back corner of our lot -- for privacy and to give the birds shelter.”

Tackling long-neglected projects is also a frequent resolution. A few gardeners had untamed areas of their yards to address. Generally though, most wanted to re-do what they had installed in past years, now that they had learned more about gardening and their own tastes and needs.

The 6thAnnual Washington Gardener MagazinePhoto Contest kicks off now! Time to start sorting and picking outyour best 2011 garden shots. The entry period is January 1-20, 2012.