I’m generally not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions, but rather like to make “gentle intentions” instead. It just feels kinder and gentler, and less likely to fail. This year, however, I’m feeling a little more assertive, at least where the garden is concerned. So without further adieu, here are a few New Year’s Resolutions for the garden in 2011:
Heal the Sick – I will diligently spray my scale-infested Charlie Brown lemon tree with organic horticultural oil every two weeks until the problem is resolved. I’ve been nursing this sad little tree for years with no real success. Don’t get me wrong – it produces lemons every year. In fact, that’s probably the only thing keeping me from tossing it into the green bin. That and loyalty. My hope is to resurrect it from its leaf-coma so it’s not such an embarrassment anymore.
Feed the Hungry – I will add compost to my garden more often. When I first started gardening, I would fertilize with compost every month (sandy soil allows – nay, requires – this tactic). My plants loved it. I want to bring back that “new gardener” smell to my garden. The rewards are hard to ignore.
Foster Diversity – I will plant at least 2 varieties that I’ve never grown before. This is easy with all the new catalogs pouring in these days. Last year it was popping corn and garbanzo beans. This year it will be a collection of 8 different types of coastal tomatoes (let’s count that as 1 for now). The other will most likely be some unusual melon or squash (to be determined).
Enjoy theProcess – It seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes gardening isn’t fun. When crops fail, powdery mildew takes over, or harlequin bugs suck the life out of kale plants (speaking from experience), it’s enough to start eyeing the grocery store with envy. Possibly the most challenging New Year’s Resolution this year will be to release that long-standing, perfectionistic attachment to the outcome and just enjoy what happens in the garden no matter what. Wish me luck.
What are your gardening resolutions for 2011? Share them with us here.
Good point, Andrea. We have another lemon tree that is its twin. We put that one in the ground and it’s doing better, but still suffering with scale and stunted growth. They both put out about 15 delicious lemons despite the trees’ puny size. I’m still hopeful that they might beat this and recover. Your suggestion for a larger pot could be the trick.
I wonder if the lemon tree would be happier in the ground or a larger pot.
I’m going to say one of the big ones is to actually grow more weight in potatoes than the seed potatoes we plant 🙂