Starting a new year often comes with fresh goals and aspirations, and gardening is a perfect way to refresh both your outdoor spaces and your mindset.
If your goal is to begin your green thumb journey next year, you should know that easy gardening projects can bring beauty, functionality, and joy to your home.
From creating container gardens to cultivating a simple herb patch, these projects are not only rewarding but also great for connecting with nature.
Dive into these beginner-friendly ideas to kickstart the year with growth and creativity in your garden.
Gardening as a hobby
Gardening is not only a fun and relaxing way to get in touch with nature, but it also brings numerous health benefits. If your goal is to turn gardening into a hobby, you should know that gardening is an activity great for both body and mind and for people of all ages.
Partaking in gardening may not seem like an exercise, but squatting, lifting, shoveling, and raking do count as such. Similarly, spending time in your garden can be beneficial to your mind. Fresh air and sunshine have a healing effect on our brains, they boost our mood and help us destress.
Gardening has also been shown to help reduce the risk of depression by promoting mindfulness and providing a sense of accomplishment. Engaging in this calming activity allows you to focus on nurturing plants, creating a peaceful distraction from worries, and fostering joy through connection with nature.
And finally, let’s not overlook the health benefits of growing your own produce. Gardening offers a simple way to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. Plus, the satisfaction of enjoying the food you’ve grown yourself makes the experience even more rewarding and nutritious.
Easy gardening projects for next year
Here are some easy gardening projects you can start next year, perfect for beginners and those looking to enhance their outdoor spaces. These projects are designed to be simple, budget-friendly, and rewarding.
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Start composting
The easiest gardening project you can start next year is composting. Composting is an excellent way to recycle garden waste and kitchen scraps while making your garden more sustainable. This waste is organic and it will turn into nutrient-rich compost that will benefit your plants and flowers.
Composting is an inexpensive and environment-friendly project. All you need is a composting bin, that you can either DIY or purchase.
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Start a herb garden
As a beginner, you should start your gardening journey with herbs. Herbs are the easiest plants to grow, and there are tons of different ways to make a herb garden in your backyard. On top of that, you can choose a wide range of herbs to grow in your garden.
For starters, you can use small pots or a dedicated patch to grow herbs like basil, thyme, mint, and cilantro. These are low-maintenance and useful in the kitchen.
And don’t forget to get yourself a trowel from Hoselink because it might come in handy.
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Create bird baths and feeders
Gardening can also be a family activity. Creating bird baths and feeders is a wonderful weekend activity for families with children. To create a feeder you can use an old coffee can, a jar, or a sturdy log. For the can, cut the lid in half, tie yarn around it for hanging, and place it in your garden. The log can be transformed into a feeding platform with some quick drilling and screws.
Projects like these can help you teach your kids compassion and caring for animals. It also sparks an interest in nature, as they learn about different types of birds that frequent your area. Additionally, observing the birds that visit the feeders can be an engaging and educational experience for kids.
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Raised garden bed
Yet another project ideal for beginners is building raised garden beds.
Building these structures is pretty straightforward and it will provide excellent drainage and soil quality for vegetables and flowers. Moreover, raised beds offer easy access for planting and harvesting. You can use untreated wood or recycled materials to construct them.
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Plant a shrub or a tree
If your backyard is big enough, you can plant a tree or a flowering shrub. Planting trees is not complicated and it will add structure and long-term beauty to your garden.
Planting a tree will provide natural shade and reduce temperature. Additionally, trees with dense foliage and rough bark are more effective at absorbing and reducing noise pollution, creating a quieter and more peaceful environment. So, consider all this information when choosing trees for your garden.
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Create a garden water feature or a fire pit
Installing a water feature can create a sense of tranquility in your garden. The soothing sound of water will add a new dimension to your backyard.
Creating a water feature doesn’t need to be too complicated. There are tons of simple ideas online, so you can find something that will fit your garden and your budget.
Similarly, instead of a water feature, you can add a fire pit. You can create your own fire pit by using affordable or repurposed materials such as pavers, bricks, and concrete.
Creating a pathway in your garden with minimal expense is possible. Use mulch or gravel, as they are the cheapest materials available. Simply remove the turf, roll out landscape fabric, and spread the mulch or gravel, and voila – you have a pathway in your backyard.
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Grow a salad garden
If you’re short on space or energy, grow salad greens in pots or window boxes. Plant a mix of lettuces, spinach, and arugula for fresh greens in about a month.
Simply sprinkle the seeds, lightly cover them with soil, and keep them moist. In about a month, you’ll be able to harvest fresh greens for your table. It’s a quick and satisfying way to enjoy fresh produce!
Final thoughts
Taking up gardening as a hobby is a great new year goal. As we mentioned, gardening can positively affect your overall health, so why not try your hand at it? Hopefully, some of these easy gardening projects inspire you to start gardening.
