Any 2018 New Years resolutions for yourself or your garden?

6 years ago

I'm not really one for New Year's resolutions, but I figure if you want to lose weight - probably the most common New Year's resolution - just do it. With that, I hope to get on my treadmill tomorrow after I clear the dust from it! LOL As for garden resolutions, the only one I have is to plant more annuals (trying some new ones, maybe) in 2018. I grew so many this year from seed: cleome, cosmos, marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias, nigella, snapdragons, rudbeckia and larkspur. Planted among my roses they looked amazing and provided color in the garden well into Fall.

Any resolutions from anyone on this forum?

Featured Answer

mariannese

6 years ago

My constant resolution is to fertilize more, and in time. In my Swedish climate with its short growing season the recommendation is to stop feeding before the end of July. I rarely manage to spread more than one batch of farmyard manure in early spring when my roses break dormancy. To feed earlier is a waste as plants can't use nutriments while still asleep. Ideally, I should give smaller doses of some general organic fertilizer over the next months but I rarely find the time with all the weeding and watering I have to do. My soil is heavy clay so most roses usually perform okay, especially the old ones. I'm sure they would do even better if better fed and it would probably make a big difference to the modern roses. I will concentrate on them and the clematises this year.

I will not open my garden to the general public this summer as it's heavy work to make the garden presentable for a particular date. I've already said no to two gardening societies that advertise visits to members' gardens. I've never had any complaints but I can't help being critical myself. Friends, family and other rose growers are welcome because they are more tolerant to imperfections. My husband enjoys the open garden days more than I do but he's with me this year and we will have more time to visit other gardens.

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Comments (14)

bethnorcal9
6 years ago
I'm hoping to get out in the garden more in the coming yr. And get on top of all the weeds and deadheading... which I did not manage to do this past yr. And as for non-gardening resolutions... gotta get back on track and stop eating anything with sugar! And use the exercise equipment more. Gotta lose weight. Gotta feel better....
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Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
6 years ago
Marinesse that is nice that you have opened your garden but good for you for saying no to the stress involved again!

Bella I have to also add more plants with my roses . I'm hoping winter sowing will help with that !

Beth good luck! I swear the weeds just have crazy will power to take over everything!

Well , I'm one of those who vows to lose weight so that's my goal for 2018. I'm so tired of being overweight , and hating how it makes me feel. I am an emotional eater and that is my problem. I had joined weight watchers and did really well on it , but then fell off and gained back all I had lost (25). I know I can do it .. I just hate the effort involved. I just want to eat what I want to eat !

on a garden level .. I want to learn more on pruning . I had been letting my roses grow Willy nilly til they got large now it's time to reign them in . I may attend the class by the rose society.

On a happier personal level I want to see more around Nashville. They're are so many awesome historical places to visit and now my kiddo is a little older and I feel more comfortable taking her. So I'll make a list of places to visit and hopefully check them off all year.

Happy new year ! :)
Ken Wilkinson
6 years ago
My new year resolution is the same it has been for the past several years. KISS my garden (keep it simple sir). And every year I say, "no more roses". Well, that one goes down the drain REAL quick.
flowersaremusic z5 Eastern WA
6 years ago
#1 - Like Mariannese, I plan to feed my roses on a better schedule. Our season is so short, if I fall behind, they really miss out.

#2 - I will not try to plant more roses than I can dig holes for again this year. I'm not good at overwintering them in the garage.

#2b - I will practice some restraint and will not buy every rose I like.

And, yeah, the sugar thing.
nanadollZ7 SWIdaho
6 years ago
Get up earlier. I'm no early morning gardener. And, yeah, the sugar thing (ha, flowers).

Happy New Year Everyone. Diane
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
My resolution is to continue my diet and exercise, spend more time relaxing in my garden (stop digging holes and enjoy the roses that I have), and knit on my new knitting machine.

I actually did get rid of sugar and processed foods 3 years ago, lost 25 pounds and have been maintaining that ever since. Let me encourage all those that are working on eliminating sugar. It can be done!!!! I read a book called Made to Crave and it was life changing for me. I thank God I was able to stop my crazy eating habits (a quart of ice cream every day for lunch, followed by candy bars) because it really changed my life. I am off heart medication that I was on for 30 years and my blood sugar is now normal. I feel great and no longer need daily ibuprofen. I use a program called Lose It, and highly recommend it. Sorry, I get pretty excited over this... I’ll get down off of my soap box now.

Rebecca
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
6 years ago
Rebecca that is fantastic !! Way to go!! I have that book and devotional and started it at least 4 times. Never finished ! Ugh . I need to make myself finish the book and get with it. It really is am emotional journey for some. I tried explaining my stress eating To my friend once and she had no idea it was even a thing ! Thanks for sharing, and heaping a little motivation my way :)
User
6 years ago
I understand that, Lily. Eating sugar caused the stress in my life. I ate sugar in place of real food so I wouldn’t gain so much weight. I ate it when I was happy, sad, bored, tired, stressed and when my brain needed a fix. I became unhappy, cranky, tired, and totally controlled by it. Sugar and what form I would eat that day became my first thought in the morning. It really took over my life. I wanted to quit and tried every day, but just couldn’t do it. I asked God to help me and He did.

The first two weeks were the worst. The cravings were intense and I drank a lot of hot water to help relieve them. After that, it was better. I started exercising after that... 25 minutes a day on my Tony Little glider helped a lot. After two months, the cravings were gone completely. Now, I never think about sugar at all. If I eat honey or syrup, it starts up again, so I don’t use those or artificial sweeteners.

I wish I could express how wonderful it feels to get up in the morning sugar free. It’s like every day is fresh and new and I am happy. I hope you can find your way to that, too.

Rebecca
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
6 years ago
First News gosl, gett drip system installed. I know I will be happy that did.

Big class reunion this summer. You know what that means lol Goodbye sugar and things that are white . I will miss you, but not for long when I can get back into my cute, smaller clothes.

Dang sugar
bella rosa
Original Author
6 years ago
Rebecca, wow, that's an amazing and inspiring story!! I'm with everyone else here - trying to kick the sugar habit. I'll have to look into the book you mentioned. Good luck everyone!

Kristin, I agree - dang sugar! LOL.
Phuong Bui APAC-Vietnam-Always hot, rain alot
6 years ago
I some time get so stressed over my gardening in term of pest. My garden is my rooftop, and only me doing it alone. From mixing potting mix to water to spray.

I'm in a different climate to it's a lot of effort to find good companion flowers for rose to divert thrips. and to find an effective, safe solution for thrips, too.

That's my new year resolution for my garden.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Phuong Bui, here’s a homemade solution that you might want to try to kill those thrips. I don’t know how effective it is, but the ingredients are simple and the writer of the blog seems to like it. See what you think. The recipe for the spray is at the bottom of the article. Happy New Year!! http://kailyardnkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/04/homemade-bug-spray-for-thrips-spider.html

You might want to try it on a small spot to see how it reacts in your climate with your roses.

Rebecca
Phuong Bui APAC-Vietnam-Always hot, rain alot
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you Rebecca.
I've tried similar and more cocoction, but let me try once again with this recipe!

Any 2018 New Years resolutions for yourself or your garden?

mariannese

Comments (14)

bethnorcal9

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Any 2018 New Years resolutions for yourself or your garden?

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