Gardening expert shares easy New Year resolutions for a gorgeous outdoor space in 2023

With Christmas just around the corner and the cold and wet weather halting gardening jobs for many, perhaps it’s time to think about the new year and make some new year’s resolutions. I’m really excited as we moved into our new house in August of this year and so far we haven’t started on the garden, other than a few pots planted up with spring-flowering bulbs.  Yet, as a gardener, we all remember the plants that died, the wrong decisions made on planting schemes, the work needed to mend a broken fence and so much more. Now, it might be tempting to make a long list of everything that needs to be done but I would recommend breaking up your list into what can be done each month, as and when money permits. This way any gardening new year resolutions can be paced throughout the year.

For me, and for many, a new resolution might be “it’s time to start on my new garden”. Yet, starting a new garden can be expensive, but with some hard graft in the spring, borders can be created by cutting into turf, turning the soil and adding some goodness and nutrients with either homemade garden compost, well-rotted manure or handfuls of bonemeal, and then sprinkling hardy annuals in early spring direct into the soil.

I would recommend that once you have chosen your selection of hardy annuals you carry out some research and find out how they grow in their natural environment. Do they require sun all day? Do they need partial shade? Does the soil need to be impoverished or well-fed? So, perhaps the gardening new year resolution, in this situation, is to take your time to plan your garden by selecting the right plants for the right conditions that suit your garden setting, and winter is the perfect time to carry out such research.

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If you love plants but have been inundated with pests and diseases this year and have not had much luck in keeping them at bay, then again carry out research into the plants in your garden and find out how you can win the fight. Perhaps it comes down to selecting plants that have similar flowers and habits that are disease-free or disease resistant. Maybe it means spending a little more gardening time with these plants every week and keeping on top of pests and diseases or stopping them before they start. Perhaps it comes down to better air circulation and restorative pruning or applying sticky bands around tree trunks to protect fruit crops.

Whatever the fight against pests and diseases, it’s paramount to know what they are, why they are happening and what solutions and applications you might need to apply.

With the cost of living increasing at an alarming rate finding spare money for the garden might be difficult for many. But it’s not just about finding the money, gardening products, plants, equipment and furnishings are increasing in price, so something that you may have been saving up for might now be out of reach.

This is where savvy shopping might help. Finding similar or the same product(s) from the USA, Europe or further afield might be cheaper, and it might work out cheaper to ship it to you. Admittedly, this is a lot of work, but there are savings to be made. When it comes to plants, there are now thousands of websites selling them, but always read the descriptions before adding them to your cart.

A photo might show a fully grown plant, but the description reads ‘a seedling’ or ‘a plug plant’ or ‘a cutting’, which will be a young plant that will require a year or two, or more, to get to its final size. Buying furniture is a little tricky. Personally, I prefer to feel the materials being used on furniture, so again before purchasing read the small print and the returns policy.

Ensure you can return the goods if you’re not happy with them, and check to see who has to pay for the returns. It’s not always the responsibility of the supplier.

So, in this case, the new year resolution is, before purchasing, to always read the description and small print before being tempted by pretty pictures.

When it comes to fixing fences, shed roofs, wooden furniture, raised beds or broken glass panels in greenhouses chat with neighbours or local gardening clubs and see if you can all contribute to or share tools, etc to help keep costs down. I always recommend to new gardeners and seasoned gardeners who have moved to a new area to hunt down local gardening clubs and societies.

Not only will you make new friends, but you’ll be able to tap into other people’s knowledge and experience, perhaps do plant swaps, share seeds and so much more. Many groups have websites, but you can also check on social media, look through the classifieds in local, free papers, and chat with neighbours or the local post office if it’s a small hamlet or village.

The local pub owner might also know or, as was the case in our small hamlet in Kent, was part of the local gardening club and even sold plants outside the pub.

Thankfully, gardening doesn’t discriminate or doesn’t have barriers. If your gardening new year resolution is to find like-minded people in the area then I assure you, you’ll find new friends and a social network that will help in many ways. Making new year’s resolutions is a great way to focus the mind, but just remember you can always change your mind throughout the year (I know I invariably do).

Don’t be hard on yourself and don’t make too many gardening promises. Gardening should be fun and not a chore. In the meantime, enjoy the festive season, sit back with a mince pie and a glass full of your favourite tipple and make plans for a wonderful 2023.