MaryAnne Spinner, Chicago Master Gardener

This is the time of year when we all make those virtuous resolutions for getting into shape: lose ten pounds, start an exercise program, get a new haircut, take vitamins. If we could stick to those strategies–for once, we are definitely going to do that this year!–our quality of life will certainly be improved.

But don't neglect the opportunity to improve the garden's quality of life as well. There are a number of resolutions we can make, and actually keep, that will enable us to garden in a manner that is more efficient and environmentally friendly. Here are some starting points for getting the garden into shape in the coming year.

Start a gardening journal, calendar, or computer database. Can't recall which annuals wilted in the summer heat, or which lettuce bolted earlier than you'd like? Record the good, the bad, and the ugly for future reference. Note the sweetest tomatoes, the first and last frosts, the locations and cultural needs of newly planted perennials. Design a seed starting, planting and fertilizing schedule. At planting time, put all the plant identification tags in one place–a plastic nursery pot works well–and then review them in the fall, noting in your records what worked and what didn't. Marking the back of each tag in permanent marker with the name of its source (G for Gethsemane, C for Chalet, and so forth) right after purchase will enable you to find the plants you want to buy again next year.

Photograph your garden. Each blooming period in spring, summer, and fall, take photos of every major section of your garden. This will help you locate the tulip bulbs before you accidentally dig them up the following year, the late-season sproutings that often get tragically confused–and pulled–with the weeds, and the overgrown iris that needs to be divided. And if you take digital photos, you can download them to your computer and use them to illustrate your new computer database.

Water more wisely. Last year's drought certainly demonstrated the importance of this goal. There are a number of watering strategies that you can use to reduce water usage and improve water uptake by your garden. Install a watering system, using a network of sprinklers and soaker hoses, and hook it up to a timer. Set the timer for early morning, before the heat of the day causes excessive evaporation. Water less frequently and deeply to encourage deeper rooting. Mulch wherever possible to help retain soil moisture; as a bonus, mulching retards weeds and keeps the soil cooler. Purchase plants that have inherently low water needs, such as those with silvery leaves.

Replace some of that lawn. On second thought, replace it all. Lawns are high-maintenance water hogs, and boring to boot. Go native with wildflowers or prairie plants such as ornamental grasses, plant attractive ground covers (see http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/groundcovers/), even beds of unusual and dramatic vegetables like amaranth, chard, kale, and cardoon.

Be a better consumer. When shopping at garden centers, read the tags, then ask questions. Don't assume that just because they have a pretty hydrangea for sale, that it will be hardy in our climate. Follow label directions on all chemical products, especially pesticides and fertilizers. Don't buy too early, no matter how tempting it might be, or you may find yourself buying a second round.

Make your beds properly. No, I'm not talking about hospital corners. Join the compost revolution: see the Extension's web page "Composting in the Home Garden", at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/compost/process.html . Remember that fertilizer is not a substitute for proper soil amendments. Consider having your soil professionally tested. Make sure you match plants correctly to your drainage conditions and soil pH, and avoid mixing plants with radically different needs (for example, roses and azaleas) in the same spot. When planting, dig large holes; keep that trowel in the shed and haul out the shovel instead. And again, mulch. Not only in the spring, but in the latefall to protect your perennials from heaving in the winter freeze/thaw cycle.

Try something new. Resolve to keep those clichéd multicolored impatiens out of your shade garden, and try colorful foliage plants like coleus instead. Replace the red geraniums, orange marigolds, and pink petunias with agastache, gaura, and cuphea. Create vertical gardens with vines: try annual love-in-a-puff (cardiospermum halicacabum) or black-eyed susan vine (thunbergia alata), or perennials such as trumpet vine (campsis radicans) and late-blooming sweet autumn clematis (clematis paniculata). Mix vegetables and herbs into your flower beds, and flowers into your vegetable beds. Garden more efficiently using earth boxes (http://earthbox.com/). Dig a pond.

Bring joy to the world. As gardeners, we know that there are numerous ways to improve our communities. Volunteer, whether to design a large-scale neighborhood garden project or just to help an elderly neighbor water her tomatoes. Put hanging baskets and blooming containers in the front of your house to make passersby smile. Plant your parkway with shade trees and spring bulbs. Plant a row for the hungry.

Happy New Year! Do you have a gardening question? Email the Extension's Electronic Plant Clinic at rwolford@uiuc.edu, and our Master Gardeners will be glad to assist you.