Promises and resolutions for me – with encouragement from mem-
bers of my family! – normally include eating better and exercising
more. But as a gardener, naturally enough, my favorite list is the
one I write that has all of the goals for my garden in the upcoming
year. Think of the list below as a springboard for your own resolu-
tions for 2017. . . which is just three days away.
1. Hang up the phone and garden. As cell phones continue to take
over our lives, gardening can be a haven and a sanctuary from the
encroaching world of technology. We must all remember to smell
the fresh air, listen to the birds and get the kids to join us outside.
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2. Shrink the lawn. With Pam Penick’s book Lawn Gone! as a guide,
we are all realizing that there is a myriad of options for replacing
the lawn with pretty, drought tolerant plants that will save you money
and time… and help save the planet as we become accustomed to
gardening in drought conditions.
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3. Plant more trees: I'd like to plant one a month. Trees add value
to a home and can help with the utility bills as well. By planting ever-
green trees on the north side of your home, they can act as a windbreak
from the cold, north winter winds. Shade trees planted close to the
house provide cooling shade in the spring, summer, and fall. Deciduous
trees provide shade in the summer and allow warming sunlight in the
winter after they shed their leaves. Trees also absorb carbon dioxide,
and this can help slow down global warming.
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4. Plant or expand the vegetable garden. By growing your own
vegetables, you become more independent – less trips to the grocery
and less trips to the filling station. Working the soil and eating the
produce that you have grown is highly rewarding. Gardening is also
great exercise.
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5. 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. Compost will
save you money and will help limit waste that goes to the landfill.
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6 Start and expand your use of organic practices. Besides making
your own compost, use organic fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides,
and herbicides. This will make the environment less toxic. There
has never been as many organic alternatives on the market as there
are now. In addition, consider setting up a system of rain barrels,
and shift to drip and soaker hose irrigation.
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7. Start gardening projects with your neighbor or perhaps the
community. Target a piece of ground that’s going to waste and prod-
uce some vegetables for the Food Bank. Reap the mental rewards of
volunteering!
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8. Beyond vegetables: establish other forms of food you can grow.
Central Texas is a perfect place for asparagus, grapes, berries, arti-
chokes, peaches, pears, apples, plums, olives, apricots, nectarines,
and pomegranates. These plants are perennials and will produce
year after year without replanting.
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Well, that’s a start for 2017. And on Sunday, New Year's Day, I'm
going to plant my first tree of the year, after eating my good luck
food: cornbread for gold, collards for dollar bills, and black-eyed
peas for pennies. Happy New Year everyone!
