From the ground up: A gardener’s New Year’s resolutions

As the new year arrives, many people either make News Year's resolutions or refuse to make any resolutions because of the disappointment that follows if those resolutions are broken.

I think a better way to change habits or lifestyles is to make an 'I will try list,” which can be reviewed as needed to put us back on track. It's a proven fact that if your goals are in writing and reviewed on a regular basis you're more likely to achieve those goals. With this said I am going to share my gardening and environmental goals with you and test this theory.

-- I am one to always share the products of my yard as cut flowers. I will try to take a flower or bouquet to a care center or a person who can't get out of the house at least once a month.

-- I will try to conserve rainwater. I have a non-operational rain barrel. I will make it functional and use it along with the buckets that I use under the rainspouts. I will avoid buying plants that require lots of water.

-- I will fuss less about the weeds in my garden and appreciate the flowers that bloom in spite of the weeds.

-- I will plant more plants that attract pollinators regardless of whether they match the color scheme or if they get 'too tall and lanky” or may become invasive.

-- I will take the time to educate a child about some aspect of gardening whether it is to appreciate a roadside weed, learn to plant some seeds or to help them appreciate a bee and not panic when they see one.

-- I will try to be more tolerant of dandelions and creeping Charlie. This will be a hard one. These plants are favorites of some pollinators and do require chemicals in order to be eradicated.

-- I will encourage pollinators by placing bee houses around my yard.

-- I will start more flowers from seeds planted directly in the ground, and try to resist purchasing so many 'already blooming” to help cut down on energy costs.

-- I will try to use water containers that can be filled at home and carried with me rather than purchasing water in plastic bottles. This is hard for me when I'm a guest and offered water in a plastic bottle.

These are a few of my 'I will try” and 'want to improve upon” resolutions. I invite you to jot down a few of your own improvements and continue to look back at your list and review how you are doing. I will also be looking at my list, as a reminder to get back on track.

l For gardening questions, call the Linn County Extension Master Gardener Hortline at (319) 447-0647.