Blooming in the New Year: Landscape and Gardening Resolutions

As the new year is here our thoughts turn to fresh beginnings, when many people set New Year’s landscape and gardening resolutions. Here are some categorized into three main themes:

Boosting Curb Appeal:

-Plant stunning new flower beds. Consider planting Winter annuals and make plans for a fresh selection of perennials for rotating into the beds in Spring. Choose vibrant blooms that thrive in your climate and create a showstopping display in your front yard. 

-Upgrade your landscaping. Refresh tired mulch, prune overgrown shrubs, and remember that Winter is a great time for major landscaping upgrades including irrigation, decks, pergolas, driveways, and walkways. Planning such projects well in advance of Spring will reduce the delays associated with the seasonal rush.

-Install new outdoor lighting. String lights, pathway lights and architectural lighting can add ambiance and make your outdoor space more inviting in the evenings and contribute to enhanced security. It’s about extending your living space, creating an ambiance that invites relaxation, conversation, and outdoor entertainment long after the sun dips below the horizon. We provide a variety of lighting options tailored to your unique outdoor living area in our design consultation process. 

-Book a landscape design consultation. Landscape architects and designers have the experience to walk you through all aspects of boosting curb appeal.

Gardening for Sustainability:

-Incorporate organic gardening practices. For plant disease and pest control before they get too bad consider products such as neem oil and insecticidal soap.  Consider companion planting, and use of beneficial mycorrhiza and nurturing beneficial insects such as as lady bugs for a healthier garden and landscape. These are all valuable opportunities to learn about ecological web for young and old alike. 

-Conserve water. Implement water-saving measures like drip irrigation, smart irrigation timers, rain barrels, and drought-tolerant plants to reduce your
environmental impact and save money on your water bill. Rockaway encourages use of Weathermatic irrigation technologies for conserving water in our HOA, COA, and commercial clients.

-Plant a pollinator garden. Attract bees, butterflies, humming birds and other pollinators by planting a variety of native flowers that provide nectar and pollen during different seasons and throughout the year.

Enjoying Your Outdoor Space:

-Create a cozy patio retreat. Install a deck or paver patio. Add comfy seating, string lights, and potted plants to transform your patio into an inviting oasis for relaxation and entertaining. Consider these 5 Best deck styles for Florida backyards. 

-Install a fire pit or fire table. Gather around a crackling fire on chilly nights for warmth, ambiance, and s’mores roasting fun. Consider our list of fire pit styles.

-Install a pergola or swing. Hanging out in a peaceful spot dedicated to unwinding and enjoyment under a pergola or swing. Consider these 5 Advantages of Pergolas.

-Grow a vegetable garden. Grow your own fresh produce and herbs for delicious, homegrown meals all year long. Gardening is a terrific stress reliever that affords us the opportunity to see the positive results of our labor in relation to the accompanying challenges of nature.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose resolutions that you’re excited about and that fit your lifestyle and budget. With a little effort, you can transform your lawn and garden into a more beautiful and enjoyable space for the whole family to cherish in the new year. At Rockaway we hope this gives you some inspiration for your own New Year’s landscape and garden resolutions!

From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites in Jacksonville and St. Johns County, Rockaway Inc., your outdoor living experts, proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.