MAGIC OF GARDENING
CULTIVATING A FRESH START REVITALIZE YOUR GARDEN IN THE NEW YEAR BY B E T H A N Y O ’ R E A R As the calendar turns over to a new year, home gardeners across Alabama anticipate the arrival of spring and the opportunity it brings to cultivate a fresh start in their gardens. January through March may seem like an unlikely time for gardening around here, with frosty mornings and shorter days, but this is the ideal moment to lay the groundwork for a vibrant and flourishing garden in the months ahead. A fresh start in gardening begins with a wellthought-out plan. Take this time to envision your garden's transformation. What worked well last
year? What didn't? Perhaps you dream of a large colorful flower bed, a thriving vegetable patch, or a cozy outdoor retreat. Sketch out your ideas, set clear goals, and research new plants or garden layouts to breathe new life into your space. January and February are the months that I begin browsing through my seed collections, making a list of what needs to be ordered. Now is also a good time to go back through any garden journals or notes from the previous growing seasons. Look back through that “garden” photo album on your phone to remember certain milestones and to help plan the next phase.
Sketch out your ideas, set clear goals, and research new plants or garden layouts to breathe new life into your space.
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Cooperative Farming News
