Northeast January Garden Checklist: Resolutions for a Better Garden

Did holiday gifts include pruners or gardening books? January is ideal for fresh starts outdoors. Here are resolutions to consider for your Northeast garden.

Shop Community Plant Sales

Local plant sales offer bargains while supporting garden clubs. Mark your calendar and prepare for friendly competition at opening time! Some of my favorite plants were divisions purchased at sales with names on popsicle sticks.

Paintbox Garden

Grow More Heirlooms

Old-fashioned varieties—like those from the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants at Monticello—deserve garden space. Ordering from such centers supports historic preservation. Explore heirlooms from Harris Seed, Landreth, Johnny's, and the Jefferson Center.

Paintbox Garden

Paintbox Garden

Go Native

Replacing an overgrown spirea hedge? Consider natives like oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia, zones 5-9) with lobed leaves, exfoliating bark, and bold flower panicles. Natives adapt widely, thrive in poor soils, and support insect larvae.

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Support Local Beekeepers

With honeybees declining, support local apiaries. Bees need abundant flowers—goldenrod, aster, Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) sustain hives. Bee balm (Monarda spp.) is a great perennial for woodland edges and borders in many colors. Buy honey at farmers markets; gift beeswax candles.

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Have Fun with Salvage

Repurpose old storage boxes, wagons, wheelbarrows, wine crates, and boots as containers. Mix bold colors and unusual textures at entryways for a fresh look.

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Visit the Library

Browse garden books and magazines at local libraries. Jot ideas, photocopy articles, then review at home. Donate unwanted garden books to libraries or used-book shops.

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Join the Garden Conservancy

Tour private and public gardens nationwide through the Open Days program. The member guidebook helps locate Northeast properties—bring a notebook and camera for inspiration.