New Year, New Garden: Revitalise Your Garden with These New Year's Resolutions
As we bid farewell to another year and welcome the possibilities of a new chapter, it's the perfect time to plan and implement New Year's resolutions for your garden. Just like personal goals, setting resolutions for your garden can help you make beautiful improvements and ensure a thriving and radiant outdoor space that you can enjoy throughout the year. In this blog, we look at some tips and advice that will you get excited about the gardening year to come.
Love your soil
One of your first New Year resolutions for your garden is to nurture your soil for a healthy start for your plants. Start by doing a soil test to understand its composition and pH levels. Acid soils have a pH of less than 6.0, alkaline ones are higher than 7.0, while soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0 are about right, or neutral.
In the UK, the main types of soil include:
Chalk: Small pieces of white chalk are visible.
Clay: Can be moulded into a ball easily
Sand: Your soil ball will fall apart while you are attempting to form it.
Silt: Has a slippery texture
Loam Soil: A mixture of clay and sand.
Once you have a better understanding of your soil, this will determine which plants you can grow and what you need to do to help them succeed. Healthy soil is the foundation for robust plant growth and vitality.
Expand your plant selection
Diversifying your plant selection can bring a burst of colour and life to your garden. Consider incorporating a variety of native plants and flowers to attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Additionally, integrating a mix of annuals, perennials, and flowering shrubs can ensure that your garden remains vibrant and visually appealing throughout the year. Our knowledgeable plant team at your local British Garden Centres store will be able to advise you on choices for your soil, location, and taste to make your garden in 2024.
Garden sustainably
As the awareness of climate change increases, incorporate sustainable gardening practices as part of your New Year's resolutions. This can include water conservation techniques, such as installing a water butt or drip irrigation system, as well as minimising the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides by using organic plant care. By adopting eco-friendly approaches, you can contribute to a healthier environment while maintaining a thriving garden.
Make a compost bin
Recycling your garden and kitchen waste is a terrific way to reduce waste and nourish your plants. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using a compost bin. The best part is that it is easy for you to get started and you don't need any fancy equipment.
Why not buy a small container in the kitchen that can sit on the counter? It is perfect for storing kitchen scraps, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Plus, there is no unpleasant smell to worry about. By using a compost bin, you can reduce waste, nourish your plants, and create a more sustainable lifestyle.
Visit our guide to composting here.
Start a kitchen garden
Look for new ways to prepare and incorporate vegetables into your diet and garden by starting 2024 healthy.
Make a list of vegetables you want to include in your garden. Your local British Garden Centres team will be able to provide information on what vegetables will thrive in your garden beds or containers and tips on when and how to plant and care for them.
Greens like spinach, brassicas, chard and kale, carrots, beetroot, brussels sprouts, and red cabbage are among the most nutritionally dense vegetables. Why not try potatoes, tomatoes and sweet peppers that produce an abundance of fruit from just one plant, making it cost-effective too?
Create a relaxing outdoor oasis to enjoy
Creating a tranquil and inviting outdoor space where you can unwind and connect with nature. Whether it's adding a cosy seating area, installing mood lighting, or incorporating a water feature, British Garden Centres can provide a serene retreat right in your outdoor space so you can achieve a better work/life balance, make the garden your fifth room to wind down in over the summer.
Thanks for reading, here’s to a vibrant and fulfilling garden in 2024!
