Horticulture News

DATE: December 24, 2007

HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370

BY: Amy Aldenderfer
County Extension Agent for Horticulture

Gardening Resolutions for 2008

Before the successes and failures or the droughts and drownings of the 2007 growing season fade from memory or get pushed aside by the anticipation of another gardening year, why not take a moment to convert lessons learned and good intentions into green thumb resolutions for the coming year.

    In 2008, I resolve to:
  1. Use biological or cultural rather than chemical controls as much as possible.
  2. Mulch earlier and deeper to control weeds.
  3. Persist in weed control efforts all summer to prevent weeds from going to seed and adding to next year’s problems.
  4. Put the tomato cages on at planting.
  5. Get my annual flowers planted earlier this year (before July 1, at least).
    Plant hardy trees, shrubs and other plants according to a landscape plan, selecting less problem-prone plants.
  6. Recycle landscape leftovers, garden waste and other organic materials into compost.
  7. Take the ‘stitch-in-time’ approach to maintenance rather than wait for small problems to turn into crises.
  8. Make out a list of needed plants and seeds before I start browsing through the catalogs.
  9. Limit the size of vegetable and flower gardens to what I can reasonably expect to care for.
  10. Plan my vegetable garden carefully and follow the plan closely so I can rotate crops properly and make good use of available space all season.
  11. Plant cool-weather crops early and again in mid– to late-summer for a fall harvest.
  12. Harvest crops at their peak of quality.  No more giant zucchini and tough beans.
  13. Freeze, can or give away produce as soon as possible after harvest to maintain high quality.
  14. Check plants for insects more often and do a better job of controlling cucumber beetles, tomato hornworms and cabbage worms.
  15. Follow the directions for using and maintaining equipment rather than trying everything else first.
  16. Set up a priority system for garden resolutions so gardening continues to be pleasant rather than an overwhelming list of chores.
Now how long do you think these resolutions will last?  Have a happy holiday and see you in the coming year.