A new year spells endless possibilities to plan for a better and brighter garden in 2026! Adam Kirtland signposts five great ways to achieve just that…
A fresh year has arrived – crisp, quiet and full of possibility. The garden may still be snoozing under winter’s duvet, but this is the ideal moment to pause, stretch and decide what kind of growing year you want to shape. While the borders bide their time and the seed catalogues whisper sweet temptations, our minds turn to resolutions: small promises that can bring more joy, intention and perhaps a tiny sense of smugness to the months ahead. Here are five thoughtful – and gently witty – gardening resolutions to spark a greener, calmer and more rewarding 2026.
Nurture Your Soil
Every great garden begins beneath your feet – though it rarely gets the credit it deserves. This year resolve to treat your soil like the superstar it is. Start a compost heap, sprinkle in organic matter or try a no-dig approach that’s kinder to both back and biome. A little attention now will reward you with stronger plants, fewer headaches and a garden that practically thanks you by growing better all year long.
Grow Something New
Make 2026 the year you branch out (pun absolutely intended). Plant a vegetable you’ve never tasted, a flower you’ve always admired or a shrub that offers something unexpected. Experimenting keeps gardening wonderfully unpredictable – and if your new venture fails spectacularly, well, that’s half the charm of trying.
Design With Purpose
Use these quieter winter days to look at your garden with a designer’s eye – or at least the eye of someone who’s finally noticed that the shed has been crooked since 2018. Think about structure, flow, colour and how you actually use the space. A few smart tweaks can transform a garden from “fine” to “why didn’t I do this years ago?” with surprising ease.
Invite More Wildlife
A lively garden is one that buzzes, flutters and occasionally digs small, mysterious holes. Resolve to welcome more wildlife this year: plant nectar-rich flowers, add a bird feeder, pop in a small water dish or leave seed heads standing a little longer. These tiny steps create a haven for creatures great and small, and provide endless entertainment for you, too.
Make Time to Simply Enjoy It
In the grand shuffle of sowing, pruning and politely encouraging slugs to relocate, it’s easy to forget the joy of just being in the garden. This year, give yourself permission to slow down. Drink your morning tea among the borders, take a lap in the evening light or simply notice the tiny daily changes that make gardening magical. Productivity is lovely, but presence is better.
So, there you have it, five cheerful resolutions to welcome an uplifting year in the garden. Whether you choose one or all, each can bring more joy, clarity and connection to your gardening journey in 2026. And if you treat yourself to a shiny new tool or a fresh notebook to mark the occasion – entirely understandable.