Do you want 2011 to be the year you enjoy the beauty and bounty of your most outstanding garden ever? Are you dreaming of a crop of beautiful, sweet tomatoes or to improve your display of autumn color? If so, now is the time to start planning. That's right, deep winter is when it all starts. Maybe you're snow bound or wiped out from the holiday season and the peace and tranquility of the garden seems light years away - but the seed catalogs have arrived and the stirring in your soul is rising. You have a vision in your mind of all your garden ideas come to life; color, fragrance, flavor and form. All gardeners are artists at heart and whether you plant a pot of petunias on your condo balcony or have an acre of valley bottom soil to cultivate, the stewardship of Mother Natures' beauty lies in your hands. Now is the time to begin the upcoming masterpiece!
As in life, your garden needs a plan. So where to start? The first thing to do is to have a look back at last years' garden and ask yourself a few quality questions - and please, please do this on paper. Don't just let it roam around in your head; get out a notepad and pen, maybe some of last summers' photos and this year's catalogs or magazines, then settle in to get excited! Let's begin:
1) What were the highlights of your garden last year? What were the aspects that you loved? What were the successes and triumphs? Have you identified the "sweet spots"; the beds, plants, groupings and unexpected delights?
2) What were the failures of your garden last year? What were the duds and disappointments? What did you say you were going to do, but never did? What aspects were frustrating for you? Did you have the physical strength and stamina to do what you desired to?
3) What did you learn from these experiences? Have you determined to be rid of the under-performers? Do you have a better feel for what your low and high maintenance plants are? What are the areas where you need to improve your knowledge or skill set?
4) What are your gardening goals for the upcoming year? Write out a list of at least 10 gardening goals for the upcoming seasons and then decide which of these 10 goals are your top 3, and then write out a paragraph or two on why you want to accomplish these goals. What will you get from it? How will it make you feel when your project is finished? The idea here is to get emotionally connected to your goals as this will give you the drive to commit to your goals and follow through until completion.
The next step is to work out your plan. Start with the final outcome you desire for each of your top 3 goals then work backwards to determine what steps and actions will be required for each goal. Will you need to budget finances? Or find a book on deck plans or how to build a compost bin? Will you need a helper or a contractor? Do you have all of the tools, equipment, material and resources necessary?
Once you have your plan outlined, schedule the actions into your calendar when each of these steps needs to be done. And do it in writing - a short pencil is better than a long memory! Now post your calendar where you're going to see it daily and the vision of your goal is going to excite you.
Finally, what can you do right now to get started to achieve your gardening goals for this year? It doesn't have to be big, but do something now to get going and begin building the necessary momentum to carry you through. If you follow these steps, you'll achieve your goals and reap the rewards of watching your visions ripen into fruition for a beautiful and bountiful garden!
No comments:
Post a Comment