{"id":672,"date":"2025-12-24T12:36:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T10:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=672"},"modified":"2025-12-24T12:36:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T10:36:19","slug":"10-new-year-gardening-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=672","title":{"rendered":"10 New Year gardening resolutions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What better way to embrace another growing season than by making some new year gardening resolutions? You may want to start <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/composting\/\">composting<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/garden-pond\/\">dig a pond<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/mowing\/\">mow your lawn<\/a> more often. Perhaps you\u2019ve vowed to ditch single-use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/gardening-with-less-plastic\/\">plastic<\/a> or use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/watering-plants\/\">water more wisely<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Stuck for inspiration? We\u2019ve come up with 10 resolutions you might consider for the garden this year, along with tips on how to achieve (and stick to) them.<\/p>\n<p>Browse our suggestions for new year gardening resolutions, below.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/news\/the-wildest-gardening-records-ever\/\">What are the strangest gardening world records?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Grow more houseplants<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-PDB_21_5_18_0449-7d76c82.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Houseplant display\" title=\"2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-PDB_21_5_18_0449\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Growing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/house-plants\/25-of-the-best-house-plants-to-grow\/\">houseplants<\/a> has surged in popularity in recent years. It\u2019s no wonder: houseplants can improve air quality in your home, help to relieve stress and aid concentration. They\u2019re easy to grow and many of them will tolerate shade and neglect.<\/p>\n<p>More on growing houseplants:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/house-plants\/house-plants-with-large-leaves\/\">Houseplants with large leaves<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/house-plants\/25-of-the-best-house-plants-to-grow\/\">Foolproof houseplants to grow<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/house-plants\/25-of-the-best-house-plants-to-grow\/\">Must-have houseplants<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Use less plastic<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/03\/2048x1365-How-to-use-less-plastic-in-the-garden-GettyImages-514944394-90ae7af.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Hand tools with wooden handles\" title=\"Hand tools with wooden handles\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Many of us want to use less plastic in the garden, from plant labels to watering cans, tools, plant pots and the sheeting used to suppress weeds. Buying (and therefore using) less plastic will not only reduce your plastic footprint, but will also send a message to manufacturers that gardeners want alternatives to plastic (especially single-use plastic).<\/p>\n<p>More on using less plastic<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/gardening-with-less-plastic\/\">Gardening with less plastic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/news\/information-on-plastic-and-recycling\/\">Information on plastic and recycling<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Go organic<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/02\/fdf9e101-48d3-4db2-aba4-b356a581eb8a-918f9ad.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Watering with comfrey feed\" title=\"Watering with comfrey feed\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Whether you grow your own food or not, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/organic-gardening\/\">gardening organically<\/a> is much better for the health of your garden. By not using pesticides, you\u2019ll provide a safe source of food for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/bees\/\">bees<\/a> and other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/pollinators\/\">pollinators<\/a>, as well as boosting insect numbers. This means more food for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/garden-birds\/\">birds<\/a> and other insect predators, which may then choose to nest in your garden.<\/p>\n<p>More on organic gardening:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/organic-pest-control\/\">Organic pest control<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/how-to-make-a-comfrey-feed\/\/\">How to make a comfrey feed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/three-ways-to-control-slugs-organically\/\">Three ways to control slugs organically<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Compost your waste<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-LI2195156-7b290ce.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"beginner gardening tips - make use of compost\" title=\"beginner gardening tips - make use of compost\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Homemade <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/composting\/\">compost<\/a> is invaluable in the garden, providing you with a fantastic soil improver and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/mulching\/\">mulch<\/a>, as well as wildlife such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/bees\/\">bumblebees<\/a> and slow worms with a place to live. It&#8217;s easy to set a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/reviews\/gardening-kit\/which-type-of-compost-bin-is-best\/\">compost bin<\/a> up, whether you buy a ready-made bin or make your own.<\/p>\n<p>More on composting:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/garden-advice\/soil-composting\/\">How to make compost<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/reviews\/gardening-kit\/which-type-of-compost-bin-is-best\/\">Types of composter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/which-compost-is-best-for-which-job\/\">Four ways to better compost<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/garden-advice\/soil-composting\/\">How to compost woody stems<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Be water wise<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-LI2173848-f5ac59b.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Installing a water butt\" title=\"Water Saving Ideas with Joe Hodgson (27th September 2011)\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We gardeners use a lot of water to keep our plants healthy. If using mains water, not only does watering cost you money (if you&#8217;re on a meter), but potentially it can put pressure on water reserves, especially in dry weather. Installing a water butt or three can help you reduce your reliance on mains water. What&#8217;s more, some plants benefit from being watered with rain water. You can connect water butts to downpipes from the roof or your home, but also assemble guttering systems around the roof of your shed or greenhouse. The more water butts you use, the more water you save.<\/p>\n<p>You can also save water by mulching around plants to prevent evaporation from the soil, using water-retaining crystals in container displays, avoiding using sprinklers and growing drought-tolerant plants.<\/p>\n<p>More on saving water:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/save-water-in-the-garden\/\">Saving water in the garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/maintain-the-garden\/dealing-with-drought-in-the-garden\/\">Dealing with drought in the garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/diy\/how-to-fit-guttering-on-a-greenhouse\/\">How to fit guttering on a greenhouse<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Keep on top of weeds<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/10-new-year-resolutions-for-the-garden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">View Green Video on the source website<\/a><\/p>\n<p>If left to get out of hand, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/weeding\/\">weeds<\/a> can quickly take take light and nutrients from plants you want to grow.\u00a0Regularly weeding around cultivated plants can help prevent weeds from growing too big, but few gardeners weed as often as they would like to. Just 10 minutes of weeding before you get started on more enjoyable garden jobs can really make a difference.<\/p>\n<p>More on weeding:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/weeding-without-chemicals\/\">Weeding without chemicals<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/five-ways-to-eradicate-weeds\/\">Five ways to eradicate garden weeds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/weeding-garden-paths\/\">Weeding garden paths<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/maintain-the-garden\/how-to-weed-by-hand\/\">How to weed by hand<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Grow more of your own food<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-LI2244049-e5dbe04.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Harvesting beetroot\" title=\"Sue Fisher Veg (11th September 2013)\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Few gardeners have the time or space to be completely sufficient, but you may enjoy growing a few crops while being rewarded with home-grown veg. Start with easy-to-grow crops such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/potatoes\">potatoes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/courgettes\/\">courgettes<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/how-to-grow-runner-beans\/\">runner beans<\/a>. But, if you&#8217;re an experienced grower, why not grow a new variety or two each year? Choose anything from a different variety of squash or bean, to more unusual crops such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/how-to-grow-sweet-potatoes\/\">sweet potatoes<\/a>, yams and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/how-to-grow-your-own-okra\/\">okra<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>More on growing your own food:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/types-of-squash\/\">Pumpkins and squash to grow<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-small-veg-plot\/\">How to make the most of a small veg plot<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/grow-your-own-christmas-dinner\/\">Grow your own Christmas dinner<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Plant a tree<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-LI998992-7d6318b.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Planting and watering a peach tree\" title=\"Fruit in Small Spaces with Toby Buckland (23rd March 2009)\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The environmental benefits of planting trees are clear: trees absorb carbon dioxide, help reduce flooding and can also contribute to reducing urban temperatures. What&#8217;s more, if you choose carefully, your tree can provide food and shelter for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/wildlife-friendly\/\">wildlife<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>More on planting trees:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/trees-with-attractive-bark\/\">Trees with attractive bark<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/choosing-a-fruit-tree-rootstock\/\">Choosing a fruit tree rootstock<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/fast-growing-trees-to-grow\/\">Fast-growing trees<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/how-to\/grow-plants\/best-cherry-blossom-trees\/\">10 trees with beautiful spring blossom<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Welcome wildlife<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-LI1805706-7edcb99.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Bumblebee on scabious\" title=\"2048x1365-10-New-Year-resolutions-for-garden-LI1805706\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Whether you decide to feed the birds, dig a pond, plant flowers for pollinators or let areas of your garden grow wild for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/tag\/hedgehogs\/\">hedgehogs<\/a> and other small mammals to take shelter, welcoming wildlife to your garden is hugely rewarding. Many species are declining and by gardening for wildlife we can help to boost their numbers.<\/p>\n<p>More on wildlife gardening:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/garden-wildlife-jobs-for-april\/\">Garden wildlife jobs for April<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/plants\/10-plants-for-butterflies\/\">10 plants for butterflies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/garden-advice\/hedgehogs-in-the-garden\/\">10 ways to help hedgehogs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"listicle__title heading-3\">Go peat-free<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/10\/2018\/05\/2048x1365-Gardening-for-beginners-series-container-gardening-LI1808274-18d6b0d.jpg\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" alt=\"Adding compost to a pot\" title=\"2048x1365-Gardening-for-beginners-series-container-gardening-LI1808274\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s long been cited as an environmentally unfriendly choice when potting up plants, as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/product-guides\/growing\/best-peat-free-composts\/\">removal of peat<\/a> from peat bogs destroys wildlife habitats, while releasing carbon into the atmosphere. Yet peat-based composts are still widely available to buy in garden centres and nurseries. More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/product-guides\/growing\/best-peat-free-composts\/\">peat-free options<\/a> are becoming available, however, made using bark, wood fibre, wool and coir. While peat-free options have been hit-and-miss in the past, new mixes are proving popular with gardeners, and include seed-sowing and ericaceous formulas. So, why not give it a try? When buying compost, simply check the label to make sure it&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardenersworld.com\/product-guides\/growing\/best-peat-free-composts\/\">peat-free,<\/a> or buy online.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What better way to embrace another growing season than by making some new year gardening resolutions? You may want to start composting, dig a pond or mow your lawn more often. Perhaps you\u2019ve vowed to ditch single-use plastic or use&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=672"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}