New Year, New Garden: Setting Goals for the Growing Season

The start of a new year always brings excitement and anticipation for the garden's potential in the months ahead. It's almost like a reawakening.

Although January is an awful time to get outside and start planting where I live, it’s the best time to start planning. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on what worked and what didn’t last year and to dream about reinventing parts of your yard.

For me, I’ve realized that having my vegetable garden in a part of the yard that I can’t see from the house was a mistake. It wasn’t top of mind, and as a result, it suffered from neglect. This year, I’m determined to build raised beds right off our patio, where I’ll see them every time I cook a meal. This simple change will help me remember to harvest, water, and maintain the garden—and maybe even inspire me to plan meals around what’s ready to pick.

Woodland Vegetable Garden, 2024

Planning is great, but don’t let your enthusiasm lead to overly ambitious goals. Keep it simple, realistic, and intentional as you set your gardening goals for 2025.

Reflect on Last Year’s Garden

One of the major problems I faced in 2024 was planting my vegetable garden in a shaded area near a wooded lot. Not only was it out of sight, but the proximity to the woods meant frequent encounters with ticks. Honestly, the thought of pulling ticks off myself after a simple garden visit grossed me out so much that I abandoned the garden by July.

Deer Grazing on Hostas Near Vegetable Garden.

On the bright side, one of my favorite successes was the Russian sage and sedum combination I planted in front of the house in fall 2023. The plants didn’t look great when I put them in, but by August they had come full circle.

Russian Sage and Sedum Before Blooming

The purple spires of Russian sage buzzed with bees, and the occasional whiff of sage reached us in the family room. The neon-pink sedum added a bold, unexpected contrast that I ended up loving. Both plants were also wonderfully low-maintenance and resistant to deer and rabbits. They’re here to stay (promise to take a picture when they are in bloom this year)!

This spring, I’ll be tackling some much-needed garden edits. The hostas on the stairs to our main entrance are overcrowded and must be divided. Around the patio, the tickseed has outgrown its space, and frankly, I’ve never loved the way it looks. I’ll dig it up, separate it, and spread it around other parts of the yard. Free plants are always a bonus.

If you didn’t keep a garden journal last year, now’s a great time to start. Even a simple walk through your yard with a notepad can help set your plans in motion. Journals are especially useful if you include photos—it’s easy to forget what’s underground when everything is dormant.

Start by assessing the ground:

• Are there structures that need repair?

• Will you need to order more mulch?

• How does the soil look? Any signs of runoff or erosion?

• Which plants need to be divided, relocated, or removed entirely?

Then, look upward:

• What trees or shrubs need pruning?

• Are there any hazardous branches (“widow-makers”) that require an arborist? Now’s the time to schedule tree work before the busy season hits.

  
  

Reflecting on the past season’s successes and challenges will provide the foundation for a more rewarding gardening year ahead.

Dream Big but Start Small

Once your maintenance checklist is complete, it’s time to start dreaming. This is the fun part—thinking creatively about new goals for the growing season.

For instance, I have two major goals for this year. First, I want to tackle the "mega hedge" in the front yard!

This sprawling green monster has been growing unchecked for about 30 years, and I’m honestly afraid of what’s lurking inside. What started as two forsythias with an azalea in between has morphed into an unruly tangle that’s impossible to trim. It’s time to reclaim this space and restore some order.

Second, I want to move my vegetable garden from the side yard to the backyard, where I’ll see it daily. I’m planning to build raised beds using cobblestones we already have. In those beds, I’d love to experiment with three new vegetable varieties.

When setting your goals, think big but break them into smaller, manageable steps. For example:

• Goal: "Grow more food."

  • Step 1: Build one raised bed.

  • Step 2: Research and choose three new vegetable varieties.

  • Step 3: Create a planting and maintenance schedule.

    
    

By keeping your goals actionable and achievable, you’ll set yourself up for a fulfilling and productive gardening season.

Think About Sustainability

Another goal I have is to adopt more sustainable watering practices. Living on well water during a year of drought, as we experienced for much of 2024, made me acutely aware of how precious water is. Each time I turned on the hose, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. While we do have a rain barrel, the prolonged dry spell rendered it far less effective than I’d hoped. What truly made a difference was the heavy mulch I applied in spring, which helped retain soil moisture and reduced the need for frequent watering.

Moving forward, I plan to incorporate more drought-tolerant plants into new areas of the yard, given the increasing frequency of dry seasons. Additionally, I’m exploring strategies like using soaker hoses for efficient watering and ensuring that every drop counts. These small changes can make a big impact on both my garden's resilience and my peace of mind.

Keep It Fun with Creative Goals

Gardening isn’t just about maintaining plants—it’s about creating something that brings you joy. To keep the passion alive, focus on goals that inspire creativity and excitement. After all, gardening should be as rewarding as it is productive.

Consider setting goals that reflect your unique interests and spark your imagination:

• Try a themed garden. Create a salsa garden with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cilantro, or design an herb spiral that doubles as a functional art piece.

• Add whimsical elements. Incorporate fairy garden décor, build custom trellises, or craft a unique pathway using colorful stones or repurposed materials.

• Grow something new and challenging. Whether it’s an exotic fruit or a rare flower, choose one plant that’s outside your comfort zone just for fun.

When your garden reflects your personality and passions, it becomes more than just a task—it’s an extension of yourself. And remember, perfection isn’t the goal. The joy comes from experimenting, learning, and watching your ideas take root.

Accountability and Community

Sharing your gardening goals with others is a great way to stay motivated. Whether it’s a friend, a neighbor, or an online gardening community, having someone to share your progress with can make the journey even more enjoyable.

Here are some ways to stay accountable and celebrate your successes:

• Set milestones. Break your goals into smaller achievements and recognize each one along the way. For example, celebrate when you finish building your raised bed or when your first tomato ripens.

• Plan rewards. Treat yourself to a new plant, a gardening tool, or a relaxing evening outdoors to mark your progress.

• Document your journey. Take photos, jot down notes, or share updates on social media. Reflecting on how far you’ve come can be incredibly satisfying.

Most importantly, enjoy the process! Gardening is as much about the journey as it is the outcome. Even if your goals shift during the season, celebrate the effort and progress you’ve made. By keeping it fun and rewarding, you’ll nurture not only your garden but also your passion for the craft.