Another year has gone and this presents the opportunity to make meaningful changes in your life... and garden! If you haven't tried making New Year's resolutions in the past, now's the best time to do it for your health and the beauty of your garden in 2022.

How to become a better gardener for the new year? Add these to your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2022:

New Additions in Your Garden and Gardening Supplies

Start Composting

If you've always wanted to try your hand at composting but can't seem to get started on it for various reasons, make this a top priority for 2022. Composting gives you access to high-quality compost, and it's good for the environment. Just find a good spot in your indoor or outdoor space for a compost pile.

If you live in the suburbs, it's best to get a sturdy compost bin with a cover to reduce odors and prevent pests and small animals from burrowing into your compost pile. Use a heavy-duty compost bin that’s compact, sturdy, and eco-friendly. This way, you can use the bin for a long time and create more compost.

Growing Plants from Seed

Haven’t tried growing plants from seed? You are missing out! If you’ve only used starter plants before, now’s a good time to try growing plants from seed. It’s a great feeling seeing the plants you have painstakingly taken care of from seed grow into healthy, beautiful plants. If you find this intimidating, start with easy-to-grow edibles like herbs, leafy vegetables, or root crops.

Build a Medicinal Garden

So you have a garden patch and an herb garden - what’s missing in your garden? A space for growing medicinal plants! 2021 was all about gaining our footing in the new normal, and part of the experience is embracing nature and going the natural route. You can take this step up a notch in 2022 by creating a space for medicinal herbs in your outdoor space and trying out different homemade remedies to promote better health. Some of the medicinal plants to add to your garden are:

• Chamomile
• Echinacea
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Ginko
• Goldenseal
• Ginseng
• Aloe vera
• Mint

Save Water

It’s essential to make a conscientious change in how you take care of your garden, so you’re not harming the environment. Water is a precious resource, and it should be used wisely. Start by watering wisely this year, installing a rain garden, or improving irrigation. Don’t overwater your plants or go lawn-free. If you are based in a region that gets a lot of rain, start saving rainwater and use this to water your plants.

Grow More Pest-Deterring Plants

With more free time on your hands during the holiday season, why don’t you try growing more pest-deterring plants to make your garden even more resistant to burrowing or nibbling insects and rodents?

Herbs like chives, dill, parsley, mint, thyme, and basil repel all sorts of bugs, particularly houseflies, mosquitos, Japanese beetles, carrot flies, aphids, mites, and even rabbits. An herb starter kit comes complete with these staple herbs if you want to make your garden pest-resistant next year.

Plants like geraniums, lemongrass, marigolds, chrysanthemums, and nasturtiums are also known to deter destructive insects and rodents. You can grow these plants around the parameter of your garden, so every corner is protected from pests!

Volunteer at a Community Garden

Make a difference in your neighborhood by growing crops in the community garden. By growing fresh produce in the community garden, you provide food for low-income households in your local area. You are helping your community while also engaging in a hobby that you enjoy the most; there are no downsides!

Grow Native Plants

Speaking of watering smart, did you know that native plants require less supplemental water than exotic plants? If you’re serious about conserving water while also improving the garden’s look, consider planting more native plants.

Native plants are easier to grow because they have adapted to the local soil and climate. These plants do not need pesticides and fertilizers to thrive. The best part? Native plants provide the ideal shelter for insects and small animals because they have co-evolved with the plants that are native in your region.

Improve Space Efficiency

While you don’t need a vast expanse of space to build a garden, a small space could end up affecting the growth of your plants. That’s why it’s vital to constantly improve your space to ensure the healthy growth of the plants as well as to make the area look aesthetically pleasing.

Make every inch of space work in the garden by adding several raised garden beds. Garden beds come in various designs - the traditional raised bed, tiered raised bed, and elevated raised bed. Any of these styles help organize the garden while also maximizing space.

Plant more Flowering Plants

Want to attract more pollinators like bees and birds into your garden this 2022? We highly suggest planting more flowering plants. Pollinators are attracted to flowers, particularly bee balm, crocus, salvia, zinnia, allium, poppy, cosmos, and sedum. Herbs like rosemary, chives, thyme, borage, and lavender are also known to attract bees. Fill your garden with these flowering plants that bloom throughout spring, summer, and fall so your garden looks good most times of the year.

Do Something about Weeds

If you’ve grown tired of pulling weeds by hand because they keep coming back, perhaps it’s time for a longer-lasting solution for next year. If you haven’t tried using landscaping fabric to eliminate weeds, try it this 2022, and you will never worry about pesky weeds for a long time.

Landscaping fabric works by blocking the sun, preventing weeds from sprouting. It’s easy to install, so you don’t need professional installation. And depending on the quality, landscape fabric will last for years so that you can enjoy a weed-free garden for a long time.

Get Your Garden Ready for 2022!

Make every year count by sticking to your New Year’s resolution. With these tips, you can create a beautiful garden while also helping the community and the environment. Are you ready for next year?

Check out our gardening tools and supplies and see what’s in store for you at ECOgardener shop to get your garden ready in 2022!