Let’s all keep in great shape in 2011 by using our gardens (rather

than gyms) as our springboard for our fitness, health and well-being.

Some further thoughts and ideas….  

 

Grow more vegetables and culinary herbs. You can reduce

your weekly grocery bill, cut down on the number visits to the

doctor, and enjoy your food at the dinner table more…if you grow

your own.  You know how they were grown and what’s been

sprayed on them.
Experiment:  Central Texas is also perfect for asparagus, grapes,

berries, artichokes, peaches, pears, apples, plums, olives, apricots,

nectarines, and pomegranates. These plants are perennials and will

produce year after year without replanting.

Start composting. By saving and composting grass clippings,

leaves, and kitchen scraps, you can make rich compost and mulch

for your garden and flower beds. The material is free and just takes

a little bit of effort to convert it to something useful.

Lower utility bills by xeriscape gardening. Remove some of

your lawn and add new beds with xeric plants, and you’ll you can

save on your water bill. If you plant deciduous trees on the east, south,

and west side of your house, you can keep it cool in the summer and

warm in the winter and save on electric bills.
Make my landscape a “Knockout”. This is easy. All you have to

do is to plant some knockout roses. These cherry bloomers are no muss –

no fuss roses that bloom all the time, without pruning or any kinds of

sprays.

Volunteer: Start gardening projects with your neighbor or perhaps

the community. Target a piece of ground that’s going to waste and

produce some vegetables for the Food Bank. Reap the mental rewards

of volunteering!

 

Well, that’ll make a good start for 2011.  I’ll  have to get to work…

but only after I eat my good luck food for the year: cornbread for gold,

collards for dollar bills, and black-eyed peas for pennies.

 

Happy Gardening in the new year!