Written By Author Hloniphile Shabangu
Published on Wednesday, 1 January 2025
What will this year hold for the garden?
There is no way of knowing so gardeners must prepare for everything.
The best way of doing this is to put on an extra layer of clothing and keep gardening through the winter!
Leave everything until the warmth of spring and you’ll be overwhelmed with the tasks.
Setting yourself a garden related resolution is the perfect and most rewarding way to work off that towards successful gardening. If you are anything like me, you’ll have far more than one plant related resolution.
If you thought that this time was a time to put your feet up, then think again. There are so many essential gardening tasks to be getting on with that can all act as positive resolutions.
🟢 Planting time!
As long as the ground isn’t frozen it’s the perfect time to plant hedging, trees, shrubs and roses. Why not make the decision to only buy from small, specialist local nurseries this year?
You’ll be saving on fuel and packaging.
What better promise could there be than planning to plant a tree? Choosing a tree as a family is the perfect way to get everyone in your household involved with the garden.
If your resolution is to get the kids away from their screens more this year then start the ball rolling with a group tree planting.
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A very enjoyable and rewarding resolution is to visit open gardens outside of the high summer season – you’ll then find all sorts of plants that will offer spring and winter interest to your garden.
🟢 Undercover gardening
There’s nothing wrong with having fun propagating plants indoors (invest in a large tray to catch any compost!).
The Christmas tree when eventually taken down why not replace it with a house plant? If you are buying house plants in winter make sure that they are well protected on the journey home.
🟢 Winter clean
Now or maybe tomorrow is a great time to start on projects in the garden. Mark out new beds, build a compost heap and install raised beds.
Every gardener should make a promise to themselves that now is the best time to clear out the shed. Spending a few hours sharpening, cleaning and oiling tools is so worthwhile.
Including Sunday ramblings from our editor, Hloniphile, as well as “What’s Up Wednesday”, our roundup of what’s in season and new article updates and alerts with Ayanda.
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If you want to choose just one gardening resolution then I ask you to pick this one install a water butt. With our changing climate the more water we collect for later in the season the better.
Top Resolutions for Gardeners
Buy from local, specialist nurseries.
Visit open gardens outside of the summer high season.
Plant trees and shrubs in winter to avoid so much watering in summer.
Shop for popular plants now to avoid disappointment.
Clear out the shed and sharpen tools - Encourage children to play an active role.
Build a compost heap.
Install as many water butts as you can.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Thank you for hanging out with me today.
Peace, love, and dirt under your nails💅
Pull Up A Seat And Visit Awhile
[Related]: 9 Midwinter Jobs For Gardeners
What Do You Need?
Now That You Are Here!
Hey there, my name is Hloniphile Shabangu, I’m the editor-in-chief here at 1 Oak Farmstead.
Many of our readers already know me from our popular newsletters. (You are signed up for our newsletters, right?)
Each Sunday, I send a friendly missive from my neck of the woods in our small town - Hlathikhulu. It’s a bit like sitting on the front porch with a friend, discussing our gardens over a cup of tea.
I’m a firm believer in self-sufficiency, no matter where you live, and the power and pride that comes from doing something for yourself.
Peace, love, and dirt under your nails,
Our homepage: @1oakfarmstead
