Hello and Happy New Year! 2026 is here, and with it a refreshed sense of purpose for me–especially where gardening is concerned. 2025 was a humbling year of meager, half-hearted attempts and low yields. I know that one must put into what they hope to get out of a garden, and I was lacking in that gumption continuously. The absolutely abysmal humidity of the summertime did not help, for I am not built to sustain such abrasive atmospheres! As with anyone after the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, I have a few resolutions in mind. I thought I would share a few of my gardening resolutions with you.
First and foremost, I think it is time to step back a bit. This year, I do not want to overload my mailbox with the seeds of fifteen different varieties of heirloom vegetables in hopes of creating my own personal farmer’s market stall. I have resigned instead to picking a few native varieties of wildflower seeds in hopes of creating a mini backyard pollinator garden. The pollinators need our help more than ever, and providing them a place to stop by and rest a bit seems very appealing. The side-effect of having perpetual bouquets is not to be ignored as well.
Second, as a result of pairing back, I hope to actually visit local farmers’ market stalls more frequently. It’s hard for this Rockingham County girl to admit that there is good produce grown up here in Northern Virginia land, but it is true, and I am missing out. Where we live, we have access to a few local weekend markets that have impressive things to sell at fair and affordable prices. I usually use the aforementioned “withering in humidity” excuse to avoid these places, but in reality, I think I can manage an hour or two for a nice ripe tomato that I didn’t have to water myself. Besides, if I get out early, it won’t be so bad, right?
Finally, I want to vow to make our backyard more fun and engaging, so I’ll spend more time out there. At present, I have two bird feeders, an herb garden, two raised garden beds, an outdoor table, and a rusted-out fire pit. I don’t foresee investing hundreds of dollars into yard upgrades, but perhaps a new fire pit and a comfortable outdoor chair might go a long way. It’s easy to lament the lack of a porch or deck on our little townhouse, but instead of whining, perhaps I should use that energy to make what I do have enjoyable. Maybe instead of planting tomatoes in the far-off garden beds, I could have a pot or two right by the door within watering reach and still perhaps get a few tomato sandwiches out of it.
This is the year that I turn 40, and with it seems to be an attitude of questioning what I’ve been doing and evaluating what is truly what I enjoy versus something that I might have once enjoyed and feel weird discontinuing. At one time in my life, I loved to go water the plants every evening and had the mental capacity to check on them from time to time. Now my attention span goes elsewhere, and accepting that it’s ok to change my gardening interests and habits feels like a big step towards having a better relationship with my own backyard. I am hoping by writing all of these desires down, I can come back in December and report on my successes (and let’s face it, probable failures).
What are your gardening resolutions for 2026? To keep up with what you’ve always done and enjoy what your hard work earns you? To accept defeat in regards to that rose garden you always dreamed of but never could quite attain? Whatever you do or do not resolve to do, I wish you a year of fertile soil and happy gardening!
