Happy New Year, Everyone! Each January, we put away the Christmas décor and start fresh. We begin thinking about ways to make this year better than the last. So many options are accessible to us, but here are five New Year’s goals that will help you enjoying a more fulfilling 2019.

1. Set a Reading Challenge

It’s hard to deny that reading is a fulfilling pastime. We can learn new things, expand our vocabulary, and significantly reduce our stress levels. Nowadays, we also have many options regarding how we read. Physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks are all available. Yet, it can be helpful to set a reading challenge. For example, on the Goodreads app, you may choose a yearly reading goal, as well as get suggestions for what to read.

2. Try a New Hobby

Trying something new can be daunting, but a new hobby can also become incredibly fulfilling. Thus, if you’ve thought about taking up kickboxing, giving container gardening a go, or making your own soap, take that chance in 2019. After all, as Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take,” so what do you have to lose?

3. Spend More Time Outdoors

In B.C., we are fortunate to have so much green space. However, life can get busy and weather can be wet, so it is tempting to spend lots of time indoors. Yet, scientists have found that going outside and enjoying nature can be beneficial for our health. Thus, planning a weekly visit to the park, hike around the lake, or trip to a local garden may be just what the doctor ordered for 2019.

4. Go on a Culinary Adventure

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut where cooking is concerned. We tend to make the same recipes over and over again, or give up altogether and get takeout. Why not take some inspiration from Julie and Julia? Okay, so it might be too challenging to cook all of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 2019. However, trying one new recipe a week could be an achievable goal that yields delicious results.

5. Get More Sleep

Without enough sleep, it’s difficult to do all the things we need and want to do each day. A few tips that can help include:

Setting a regular bedtime
Not eating two hours before bedtime
Avoiding caffeinated beverages close to bedtime
Trying relaxation techniques like meditation

April is the perfect month to begin creating a green oasis on your balcony or patio. Many people think that because they live in an apartment or condo they can’t enjoy gardening, but nothing could be further from the truth. With just a few inexpensive supplies, you can become a container gardening pro. And, most importantly, you can enjoy your own herbs and vegetables in meals and drinks in the months to come.

Selecting the Perfect Container

Before you buy containers, you need to decide what you want to grow. For example, one herb that thrives in containers is mint. The ideal container for mint should be 8 inches or more in diameter and 10 inches deep. It should have adequate drainage, and it’s a good idea to place a saucer under your container to collect excess water. Also, mint is best when it’s the only herb in the container because it will take over all available space.

Many lettuce varieties also do very well in containers. A 6- to 12- inch clay pot, again with adequate drainage is ideal. Using a clay pot is important because lettuce likes to be well-watered, but does not do well if its roots get soggy. Clay provides a permeable surface that can evaporate any excess water.

Choosing the Right Supplies

In addition to using good potting soil, you’ll need to get a few more supplies to help you become a container gardening aficionado. So, if you’ve planted mint or beans or anything else that can grow upright, you need bamboo stakes. Tie them to your plants using string or twine and it will help give them the added support they need to continue to grow.

Another important, but often overlooked item, are garden markers. If you get really enthusiastic and start planting lots of herbs and vegetables, you may forget what is growing in each container! It’s also great if you can get markers like these:

Chalk markers allow you to erase and start over again as you experiment with different plants from year to year. Also, some herbs like parsley and dill are annuals and will not grow back unless you replant.

Good luck with your container garden, and if you need basics like a watering can, garden gloves, and a soil scoop, come in and see us!

5 New Year’s Goals for a Fulfilling 2019