“New Year’s Eve is only ever what you make it: the momentous passing from an old year into a new one or just another day.”

Here we are approaching the end of the year. The time when we naturally reflect on the past 364 days and wonder how we could have managed things differently. Are we proud of our success in life and in the garden this year, or are we looking for a better outcome in the year ahead?

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”
Brad Paisley

The New Year is a fresh start, the perfect opportunity to change how we live and make new resolutions. But, in the garden world, the New Year is often the beginning of Spring: September to November in the Southern Hemisphere and April to June in the Northern. This is the real start of the garden year, a time when the garden rejuvenates and comes to life after winter dormancy, and our success usually depends on how much work goes on during the off-season. As the page of the calendar year turns, we can still achieve more of our dream garden if we plan and set realistic, achievable goals.

“We wait for the new year to appear to us like the hopeful sun bringing aspiring light to an eager world.”
Munia Khan

In the rose garden, this year-end is just the passing of another day, the passage of time. Because so much was replaced last winter, and now many beautiful roses are slowly settling in and becoming more established. A continuum rather than a new beginning. Nonetheless, there are areas I’d like to focus my attention on and a few blunders to remedy once winter arrives.

“Be at war with your vices, at Peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better person.”
Benjamin Franklin

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
Albert Einstein

Disappointments and challenges are always going to happen, and things rarely go entirely to plan in any garden. Garden mistakes and mishaps are a great way to learn, and there is always something to be gained from them. It is all about how we move forward that matters the most.

Ten Mistakes to Avoid with Roses

Not checking for signs of disease and pests.
Watering the roses over the foliage at Night.
Not fertilising enough during the peak season.
Not applying Mulch.
Letting the roses dry out too much.
Poor drainage.
Not Deadheading or pruning successfully.
Not staking well enough for windy days.
Leaving spent blooms and debris after deadheading and pruning.
Provide enough sunlight- the right plant, in the right place is important.

“The more one gardens, the more one learns; And the more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows.”
Vita Sackville-West

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.”
Gertrude Jekyll

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.”
Henry David Thoreau

Rather than wish lists and New Year resolutions that are difficult to keep and often end in failure, I am setting more purposeful goals that are specific, can be measured and have a time frame. Also, I’ve thought about how I will achieve them, whether I need help or not, and where to find the necessary support and resources. These are some examples of general goals for gardening.

Goals for a Successful Year in the Garden

Start a garden if you don’t have one. No matter how much space is available, there is always room for pots, and you will be amazed at how many roses, herbs, flowers and vegetables thrive in pots.
Start a compost bin or pile by collecting all organic scraps and lawn clippings. Turn them into usable organic matter for the garden, ready for the next spring season.
Install an irrigation system for the garden or pots ready for next summer.
Plan the garden from now on for the year ahead in detail, and remember the adage “do it once; do it right.”
If the garden is new, increase the number of plants by 10% over the next three months to add more diversity, colour, texture and interest to the garden.
Establish a poison-free and organic garden by next Spring. Over the next few months, research the information and best ways to achieve this, what is needed, and implement it. Appreciate the good bugs and learn new techniques for disease control.
Weed the garden for a minimum of ten minutes every day.
Plant more garden plants that host bees and other pollinator populations, such as banksia, bottlebrush, wattle, lavender, cosmos, coneflowers, sunflowers, butterfly bushes and salvias.
Test the soil before each season and research the requirements for the Ph levels of the plants in the garden.
Right plant, right place. Always read the labels on new plants, use recommended spacing and soil needs, and follow the instructions.
Make plans for a winter tree planting project and implement it so the trees become settled before next summer’s heat.
Propagate and sow seeds for potted gifts ready for birthdays and Christmas.
Always have fresh water for bees and birds, and then keep the vessels refilled every few days.
Expand your knowledge, or attend an online masterclass this holiday or during winter on the areas of the garden that are lacklustre and require more work to be ready for next Spring.

Change your Habits change your life

My garden goals are based on changing those bad habits that so easily creep in when busy in the garden that only add to more work, like not cleaning up after weeding, not tidying up after deadheading, and not following the planned eco-seaweed program. And to

Plant a Jacaranda that has been growing in a pot for too long and needs to spread its roots in the earth.

Plant a Wisteria vine, decide where to plant it, and what would be a suitable structure before autumn.

Install an irrigation system by next spring.

Increase the number of Edimentals* in the garden by Spring and continue through Spring with more seasonal varieties. Edimentals are plants that look terrific, taste good, and live for 2-3 years. Edible and ornamental. Think of plants like Violas, Nasturtiums, Globe Artichokes, Ruby Swiss Chard, Sorrel, Sage, Rosemary and Thymes. There are stunning colours in edimentals that, when grown together, can vastly improve the colour scheme: bright orange Calendula, Tuscan Blue Kale, Blue or White Borage, and Bull’s Blood beetroot are examples.

The list of edible and attractive plants is vast: Roses, Lavender, Society Garlic, Cherry Tomatoes, Alliums, Marigolds, Zucchini, Dandelion, Pansies, Carnations, Chicory, Chives, Rocket, Honeysuckle, Hibiscus- Roselle or Sabdariffa, Parsley, Basil, Dianthus, Oregano, Tarragon, Sunflowers, Pursalane, Chamomile, Wild Strawberries, Lemon Verbena, Violas, Nasturtiums, Globe Artichokes, Salad Burnett, Asparagus, Daylilies, Hostas, Begonias, Echinacea, Lilac, Magnolia, Mint, Fennel, Lemon Balm, Carrots and Parsnip plants. Fruit-bearing trees like Pears, Crab apples, Apples, Blueberries, Quince, Banana, and Pomegranate.

*The word ‘edimental’ was coined by Stephen Barstow, who grows more than 2,000 edible plants in his garden in Norway.

“Last year told you what you needed to know. This year is go time!”
Richie Norton

“I like muddling things up; and if an herb looks nice in a border, then why not grow it there? Why not grow anything anywhere so long as it looks right where it is? That is, surely, the art of gardening.”
Vita Sackville-West

There are three large tree stumps near the garden, so my goal by Autumn is to research suitable plants that will grow in shallow soil that are frost tolerant and turn these stumps into gardens.

By winter’s end, I aim to install the corten steel edging I‘ve had for many months.

The largest archway in the garden has been difficult to cover with roses due to wallabies, sheep, drought, and choosing unsuitable climbing plant varieties. This year, I started again and planted the tried and true Iceberg climbing Rose, which is finally climbing up and over the arch. I aim to train the Iceberg roses across the arch and promote as much growth as possible before Winter.

There was considerable redesigning in the garden this year, so my major goal is to nurture the new roses and keep all the plants alive during the summer heat. Whenever possible, continue with the eco-management program to reduce the risk of disease on the roses and maintain what has already been established.

My final reflections on the year as it passes are on these outstanding roses: The Lady of Shalott, Golden Beauty, and Soul Sister roses. The stand-out roses vary each year, but these three roses never waiver in abundance and beauty.

The Lady of Shalott Rose has been a long-time favourite that is worth the extra effort to keep perfect and rewards with glowing blooms that are beautiful at every stage.

Golden Beauty Rose is an exceptional rose that is rarely without striking blooms. It requires no extra attention, and the foliage is always lustrous, bright and healthy.

Rosa Soul Sister is an elegant Floribunda with soft latte-coloured blooms aged to mauve with a light tea rose fragrance. A rose reminiscent of vintage wares, teacups, and fine china. It is superb.

To all the lovers of roses, I wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for being part of my garden and rose world. May the year ahead bring you Peace and Joy. I look forward to another year of sharing my rural rose garden and all the ebbs and flows of growing roses in a rural garden.