Happy new year everyone, we wish you all a happy, healthy and green 2021 Do you already have some new years resolutions? Forget all those dismal resolutions to read more improving books, lose weight or eat less chocolate. This year, why not make some New Year’s resolutions for your garden instead? Here are a few ideas to get you started. 

1. Make a seed organizer

Remember when we used to use photo albums? If you have old albums you don’t need (the ones with plastic sleeves to hold photos), then turn one into a seed organiser. Label one page for each month of the year, then slip your seed packets into the plastic sleeves for the months when they should be planted. No more forgetting to plant things until it’s too late!

2. Check your tools

When you’re busy gardening in the summer, there’s never time to get tools sharpened, so now’s your chance.  Take your lawnmower to be sharpened, and you’ll be rewarded with another year’s worth of beautifully cut lawns. Clean secateurs and shears with penetrating oil like WD-40 to get rid of rust and grime, and sharpen them with a sharpening stone. 

3. Hit the sales

Take advantage of the sales to pick up some great gardening buys. From Christmas decorations to plants and furnishings, there are some fantastic bargains to be had at your local garden centre, so set aside a couple of hours for a visit and stock up for the gardening year ahead.

4. Plan next year’s vegetable garden

Whether you’re an expert vegetable grower or just getting started, everything goes better when you plan ahead. Draw up a list of what you’d like to grow this year (remember, start with what you actually want to eat) and where it’s going to do best. Look up planting times and buy your seeds, so you’re all ready to go when spring arrives.

5. Mulch your beds

If you didn’t have time before Christmas, do this now. A good thick layer of mulch on your beds will suppress weeds, improve the soil structure and get the beds ready for whatever you plan to plant.

6. Plant shrubs and trees

In winter you can really see the structure of your garden, so take a good look at it. Do you need some winter colour? More evergreen structure? New hedges? Provided the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, winter’s a good time to plant deciduous shrubs and trees or to move plants that are in the wrong place.

7. Buy a rainwater butt

Connect a rainwater butt to a downpipe to collect all that winter rain, and use it to water your garden in spring. Rainwater is much better for plants than tap water, especially if you live in a hard water area, and becoming more waterwise is definitely a worthwhile New Year’s resolution.

Whatever your plans for your garden in the coming year, we’re here to help. Visit our centre to find all the tools, plants and inspiration you need.