Read by Michael Flamel

Happy New Year, fellow green thumbs! As the clock struck midnight and the calendar flipped to 2025, gardeners around the globe were busy making resolutions to grow bigger, better, and more bountiful gardens this year. After scouring the world (and a few garden centers), I’ve compiled a list of the top gardening resolutions for 2025. These trends are rooted in humor, hope, and horticulture. So, grab your gloves, dust off your trowel, and let’s dig into what’s in store for our gardens this year!

1. Planting the Unplantable

This year, gardeners are determined to prove that they can grow anything—even the plants that scoff at their sunny windowsills. Top of the list? The elusive Blue Himalayan Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia), which has a reputation for being as temperamental as a cat on a bad day. The challenge? Keeping it cool enough in warmer climates while convincing it to bloom anywhere south of Scotland. This year, with a bit of extra mulch, a lot of patience, and perhaps a few whispered pep talks, gardeners are convinced 2025 will be the year the Blue Himalayan Poppy finally pops!

2. Going Native: The Year of the Indigenous Garden

A growing number of gardeners are resolving to go native—no, not back to the land, but back to the roots of their local ecosystems. Native plants are in, and they’re bringing the pollinators with them! Expect to see more gardens filled with Coneflowers (Echinacea), Milkweed (Asclepias), and Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) across North America. Not only do these plants require less water and care, but they also attract a flurry of bees, butterflies, and birds, making your garden a veritable wildlife haven. Plus, they come with the added bonus of less weeding—who wouldn’t resolve to spend less time battling weeds?

3. No More Neglect: The “Water Me, Please” Resolution

This year’s motto? “I will not forget to water!” Gardeners everywhere are resolving to give their thirsty plants the attention they deserve. With the advent of fancy new self-watering pots and high-tech irrigation systems that practically beg you to stay hydrated, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of well-watered wonders. From succulents to strawberries, no plant will be left parched. And for those who are still prone to forgetting? There’s always the trusty “set a reminder on your phone” trick—because nothing says modern gardening like a smartphone notification.

4. Compost Like You Mean It

In 2025, compost bins are getting a glow-up. Gardeners are committing to creating the perfect compost concoction—a blend so rich and fertile that it’s practically black gold. From kitchen scraps to yard waste, nothing organic is safe from the bin. Some ambitious souls are even taking it a step further by introducing worm farms into their composting routine, turning their gardens into a veritable recycling center for food scraps. This year’s resolution? “No more banana peels in the trash!” Instead, those peels are destined for the compost heap, where they’ll transform into the nutrient-rich soil every garden craves.

5. Less Lawn, More Garden

The era of the manicured, golf-course-like lawn is coming to an end, at least for the eco-conscious gardeners of 2025. The new trend? Shrinking the lawn to make way for more garden beds, wildflower meadows, and vegetable patches. Lawn mower sales might take a hit, but the environment will thank you. Expect to see more front yards filled with colorful zinnias (Zinnia elegans), drought-resistant sedums (Sedum spp.), and rows of kale and tomatoes instead of the traditional green grass. The resolution here is clear: less mowing, more growing!

6. The Great Tomato Experiment

Every gardener knows the joy and heartbreak of growing tomatoes. This year, however, there’s a resolution sweeping the community: grow the weirdest, wackiest tomato you can find. From the strikingly dark Indigo Rose Tomato to the mind-bendingly ruffled Reisetomate, gardeners are on a mission to push the boundaries of what a tomato can be. Some are even attempting to create their own hybrid varieties. Will we see the birth of a blue tomato in 2025? Only time will tell, but gardeners are certainly up for the challenge.

7. Garden Like Grandma: Heirloom Revival

Heirloom seeds are making a big comeback as gardeners resolve to preserve the flavors and traditions of the past. With names like Cherokee Purple Tomatoes, Moon and Stars Watermelon, and Dragon Tongue Beans, these seeds are a link to gardening heritage and a delicious way to connect with the past. Expect to see more seed swaps and heirloom seed banks cropping up in 2025, as gardeners everywhere resolve to save seeds and share the bounty. After all, nothing says “new year” like reviving something old.

8. Banish the Bugs (But Be Kind About It)

In 2025, gardeners are taking a kinder, gentler approach to pest control. Gone are the days of nuking the garden with chemicals. Instead, gardeners are resolving to use natural methods to keep the creepy-crawlies at bay. From introducing ladybugs and lacewings to planting pest-repelling herbs like basil (Ocimum basilicum) and marigolds (Tagetes spp.), this year’s resolution is all about creating harmony in the garden. For those particularly bold, there’s even the resolution to “love the slug”—or at least tolerate it enough to relocate it to the compost heap instead of squishing it on sight.

So, there you have it—eight resolutions to inspire your gardening journey in 2025. Whether you’re planting something new, going native, or simply remembering to water your plants, this year promises to be one filled with growth, joy, and maybe a few surprises in the garden. Happy New Year, and happy gardening!

Don Nicholas, your intrepid gardening reporter, wishes you a bountiful and beautiful year in the garden. May your thumbs be green, your tomatoes juicy, and your resolutions as unbreakable as the weeds between your pavers! ❖