8 Fresh Ways to Garden This Year

Another year arrives—evidenced by the stack of plant catalogs in the mailbox. Winter is the perfect time to dream, strategize, and rethink what works in the landscape. Here are eight ideas to inspire a healthier, more rewarding garden this year.

1. Let Go and Observe

This isn't about "messy" design; it's about learning from the garden. Let a portion be itself for a full year. If weeds invade and plants struggle, perhaps the soil is too rich (many natives prefer lean soil) or the ground is too bare. If a coddled plant dies, replace it with something better suited. Be a plant whisperer—allow self-sowing and discover the wondrous designs nature creates.

2. Stop Gardening by Hardiness Zone Alone

Hardiness zone numbers on tags are not a surefire guide. Instead, garden by ecological zone—using plants native to your area. This means far less maintenance (just a few hours of necessary work each year).

How to Find the Right Plants for Your Garden

3. Plant More Natives, Fewer Exotics

Natives are more robust in extreme temperatures and support more wildlife. Each year, replace a few exotics—even if they're performing well—because natives will be more resilient long-term and support bees, butterflies, and birds.

Browse plants native to your region

4. Get Into Nature to Discover Plants and Combinations

Visit local wilderness areas that match your garden conditions (dry, shady, wet, sunny). Observe what grows naturally. Photograph unknown plants and ask your university extension or use a plant ID app. Visit botanical gardens with native plant displays. It's a safer bet than coddled nursery plants.

5. Plant More Grasses

If beds are packed with only flowering perennials and annuals, you're missing the wildlife habitat and four-season beauty grasses provide. Squeeze in grasses to compete with weeds, conserve soil moisture, shelter wildlife, and provide nesting material. Grasses also buttress floppy flowers and hide unsightly lower leaves.

6. Lose the Lawn

Even tearing out a few square feet favors sustainable design. Gardens increase biodiversity, foster children's creativity, and encourage community. A carefree native garden requires an hour of cutting down each spring versus hours of weekly mowing.

How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden

7. Take More Photos

Knowing your plants leads to smarter, long-term decisions. Photograph blooms, insects, and wildlife. Track the same plant across seasons and years to gauge performance. Photos reveal how plants benefit wildlife, especially in winter and summer. The more you observe, the more you become part of the garden and the natural world.

8. Shop Local for Everything

Support community nurseries, garden centers, hardware stores, and local artisans. Find tools, garden art, bee houses, and bird houses at craft fairs, galleries, or online shops from local blacksmiths and makers.

Tell us: What are your garden plans this year? Will you try any of these ideas?