It’s that time of year when we have a clean slate and are ready to write a new story while we reflect on where we have been! YIPPEE How I love a fresh start!

LOOKING BACK

I know I complained a lot about the heat and drought of last summer, but now most of what I think of is how pretty things were. 🙄  That is helped in great measure by the fact that Mr. G added more drip irrigation to the garden last fall!

Some of my favorite garden images from 2025…

LOOKING AHEAD

MY WORD OF THE YEAR

This year my word is PACE. One definition that spoke to me was  “to manage your speed and energy.” I want my PACE to be slower. Since my natural tendency is more to “accelerate,” Mr. G is silently laughing but also very excited about my choice. 😄 I suspect he will have to remind me of my “word of the year” from time to time.

In reality, I want to hone in on what I have and love and be much more selective in what I add. While at first look that sounds a bit boring, it has me all kinds of excited.  

RESOLUTIONS 

Even though I don’t have resolutions for myself, I DO have 2026 resolutions for the garden. 

Garden Resolutions…

RECORD KEEPING RESOLUTIONS:

There are few things I want more of, but one thing is …MORE GARDEN JOURNALING:  Include short notes on weather, what’s blooming, favorites, concerns / take more photos / short videos. I have done well in years past, but last year when the heat came in the summer… I pretty much stopped recording anything. 

Very glad I took pictures and videos. They bring me such pleasure in the off-season and are very helpful in the planning season. So I’ll take more of those!

PLANT RESOLUTIONS:

1. Fewer plants that need staking (sorry dahlias). While I love a flouncy rose… not so much in cut flowers.
2. More marigolds – grew for the first time last year and Mr. G  loved them. Started Queen Sophia seeds on January 25 using the Winter Sowing methods and they were phenomenal. Easy/Breezy
3. Streamline winter sowing, which means growing more of what has worked well that I know I love. 
4. Grow fewer flowers. I know I know, sounds like a crazy concept. But last year I actually had too many of several varieties. 
5. No Cosmos. The critters love them and they didn’t bloom until very, VERY late. Sorry Mr. G.
6. Plant more Coleus. Easy, breezy, and beautiful. And, there are so many fantastic ones.

TIME RESOLUTION:

Take more slow walks in the garden. PACE myself. 

VERSE OF THE YEAR

I also choose a Bible verse of the year. This year it is the same one as several years in the past: Isaiah 43:18-19 Yes, He is always doing new things!!

ROSE CHAT

Rose Chat will resume in February. First up will be Paul Zimmerman, and we will be chatting about …… A Global Perspective on Roses! Doesn’t that sound exciting!

While we are waiting, you can find many wonderful past podcasts at ROSECHATPODCAST.COM

2026 GARDEN TRENDS FROM MARTHA STEWART

• Rewilding
• Gravel Gardening
• Boutique Flower Farms
• Maximalist Design (Love)
• Houseplants
• Fruit Growing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Hydrangeas (Love)
• Eco-Friendly Practices

Find the details on each of  these here …

INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY

Our first meeting of the year is via ZOOM
Tues, January 13 , 6:30 pm / EST

PROGRAM: Fragrance in Roses
SPEAKER: Carolyn Elgar

Carolyn will share with us the history of rose fragrance and talk about roses that are noted for their fragrance as well as factors that influence the release of rose fragrance. 

Grab some hot chocolate, tea, or a glass of wine and make plans to join us in the new year — invite friends too. They can join us from wherever they are via their phones, tablets, or computers.

Additional details, including the Zoom sign-in information, can be found HERE.

POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS

GETTING TO KNOW YOU WALL

Yesterday I removed all the pictures and notes from last year’s “Getting to Know You” wall to make room for this year’s additions. (FYI: Using this “wall” is my way of getting to know the new things I’m adding and making decisions about them … like deciding where to put them in my somewhat crowded garden.)

SEED STARTING

I will be starting my early seeds very soon. This year’s “early” seeds are lisianthus, geraniums, and violas and pansies (first time for these). AND, I have to get back to seed packet organization before I go much further!

VARIETIES…

• Lavender F1 Lisianthus
• Light Apricot F1 Lisianthus
• Imperial Antique Shades Fl Violas\
• Rococo Frilled Mix F1 Violas

FULL DISCLOSURE

Speaking of seed packet organization, I have a long way to go. I have stuffed them into baskets, my seed tool boxes and they are strewn about. I can assure you that my Word of the Year will probably not be extended to seed acquisition … but I’ll try. 🤷🏼‍♀️ There’s just something about seeds to me!! #paceyourselfgirl

🌱🌱 All together on the potting bench they look organized but oh they are NOT.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year, friends! May your year be filled with joy, love, good health, and of course, beautiful gardens!