Resolutions are a great way to set intentions for things we would like to achieve. You might find yourself making your new year’s resolutions in January, looking forward to the year ahead, but you can set aims and goals for yourself at any time of the year.

In my view, the most important thing is that any resolutions we make are fair to us (read: achievable!). It might be unrealistic to aim to learn Latin this year, or to single-handedly sail around the globe – but smaller personal goals can help us to stay on track much more easily.

With this in mind, I’d like to offer five ‘gardener’s resolutions’ for you to consider in getting your garden flourishing this year. Whether you’re an experienced or budding gardener, having a couple of mini ‘challenges’ can help you get on track and even try something you with your plot.

1. Plant something new

I know all too well how easy it can be to get caught in a pattern of growing old favourites and depending on your location and your soil, certain plants may well perform better than others. But giving your planting scheme a good old shake up can really rejuvenate your sense of wonder and excitement in the garden. In this video I made with Tong Garden Centre, I’ll talk you through some of my personal garden favourites. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration!

2. Welcome wildlife

In these times, it’s more important than ever to make sure that our wildlife is protected and provided for whenever possible. Even in urban locations, friendly gardeners can provide a valuable lifeline to garden birds, bees and native insects. Whether it’s planting some flowers that bees love, hanging up a birdfeeder, building a hedgehog den or even making a pond if you have space, every little counts – and the wildlife will thank you for it.

3. Plant something to eat

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – there’s nothing like eating your own home-grown produce. It’s such a satisfying process to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs, watching them sprout and grow from seed. If you’ve got a corner bed that’s looking tired, or a lawn that is no longer getting much use, consider digging it into a veg bed this year. You could even repurpose some old containers or splashing out on a purpose-made veg trug – both are perfect for more petite gardens. If you are really short on space or don’t have a garden at all, you can grow herbs and salad in a windowsill planter – perfect for snipping off when needed. Delicious!

• Read my article ‘Veg growing for foodies: a guide’ here.
• Read ‘Creating a windowsill salad and herb garden’ here.

4. Get into some green habits

Minimising the use of harmful chemicals in your garden is really helpful for the natural world around us, and I would encourage all gardeners to consider using eco-friendly pest control where possible – the RSPB lists some good alternative options here. Gardens can produce a lot of waste, so why not try your hand at composting some of it this year? You don’t need lots of space to start your own compost heap, and the resulting ‘black gold’ truly lives up to its name – compost is packed with nutrients and will give your soil a brilliant boost whilst disposing of garden waste. I’ve also created this video, ‘How to make liquid fertiliser for your garden‘, which uses nettles, comfrey or borage, and is super simple.

5. Draw inspiration from the natural world

If you’re feeling stuck in a rut with your plot, take some time for inspiration! Whether it’s picking up a new gardening book, taking a walk in the woods or heading to a new location, keep your eye out for beautiful new plants, colours and designs. Inspiration is all around us – don’t be afraid to take it and try something new.

And most of all… enjoy your garden! Katie x

Don’t forget, I offer 30-minute virtual Zoom consultations in which I can talk you through some ideas for your garden on a video call. I’d love to hear from you – get in touch here.