Happy New Year. So 2015 has arrived. Now's the time to give your garden the same attention as other parts of your like with some New Year Resolutions of it's own. Here's a list of 5 doable New Year's resolutions for your green thumb. Make them happen.
1. Plant A Tree
One of the simplest and best ways to make an addition to your property or garden is to plant a tree. The old proverb of "When is the best time to plant a tree?......20 years ago." still holds true. They are also one of the best ways to add value to a property. Drive around a nice neighborhood or look at a real estate listing online. One of the first things you will notice will be the nice trees on the property that provide shade and frame the house.
Visit a local nursery to find tree to add to your property. Here's a tip....Plant the biggest tree you can afford. Buy time.
2. Reduce Water Use
Water, water, water. You've heard it for years and can be certain that water conservation will become a bigger and more important issue, especially here in Texas. Start doing your part by striving to reduce the water used in your lawn and garden this year and give your pocket book a little break as well. Whether it's just a tune up for your irrigation system (to reduce broken heads and over spray), installing drip irrigation or high-efficiency spray heads (Rain Bird RN Series Heads) or installing a rain sensor to your system to avoid overwatering, any and all efforts will help. Read more here if interested - Save Dallas Water.
Tune up your irrigation system to help conserve water. Via Thangaraj Kumaravel - Flickr.
3. Plant with Native Landscape Plants
Native plants are landscape trees and plants that are adapted to our region and climate and perform better with less water along with being drought tolerant which will insure their longevity for any watering restrictions that are likely to become a standard practice across North Texas. There are many great native choices across the board from trees to shrubs and ornamental grasses. You can create some beautiful and healthy gardens with native plants and also save water at the same time. Read more here - Texas Smartscape.
Salvia greggii is an example of a native plant that is heat tolerant and still provides a lengthy bloom season into the fall.
4. Grow Vegetables
Another trendy, fun and simple gardening resolution to keep this year is to grow vegetables. It can be as simple as a single tomato plant in a container or an elaborate raised garden area where you can harvest vegetables year round. Start small and simple and we guarantee once you harvest you own food, you will be hooked. Start with this book as a good guide - Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening: The Total Guide to Growing Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Other Edible Plants the Natural Way.
5. Visit a Local Public Garden
one of the best ways to get excited about your own garden is to visit a successful and established garden. There are several in our area including the must see Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Botanical Garden and the Texas Discovery Gardens. Visit them throughout the year to observe the differnt plantings and get ideas of whats blooming and how to use them in your own garden.
There you go. 5 fairly easy and doable resolutions to tackle for your garden in the New Year. Get at it.