Gardening goals for 2025

[JasonGraham]

Cutting back' means several things to me in thinking about my future gardening plans and working to clean up the fall gardens.

1) Cutting back some tall plants in the gardens at the end of the growing season so they don't fall over and look unsightly.

2) Cutting back next year on the number of annual plants for hummingbirds.

3) Cutting back on plants grown in pots.

4) Cutting back on having to water plants to have more time for me and to use less water.

I don't get many hummingbirds like some of you do. My thought of cutting back on growing high nectar flowering plants (mostly annuals) will work for both me and the hummingbirds that show up. I will probably use a couple feeders early and in late months during migration. About five friends recently told me, you always say you are going to cut back. I laugh and say, I know. The hot weather and lack of rain in 2024 really made me think hard about making changes. I might have to give away plants that are from cuttings being grown this winter in my house. Time will tell in spring if there are too many plants that made it.

[Kalisspera]

For me the thought might be about whats in my gardens rather than how much I have or grow. Everyone has their favs and what grows well for them in their locations vs people who live elsewhere. 3 potted plants I brought inside to save were wendys wish , and also 1 tall ruby red pentas which is flowering in my kitchen. Yes my kitchen becomes a mess during thanksgiving and christmas right on thru till spring. I have 1 purple and bloom out back that did so well this season and would like it to survive in that spot but most likely will not, may put down some protection .

[MikeBrooklyn]

This really hits home—every year I say I’ll scale back, and somehow end up with more pots than before. The watering alone during the heatwave nearly wore me out. This year, I’ve actually started trimming back early and letting go of some cuttings too. It’s tough, but freeing. Found a local team through lookdevisservice.uk who helped tidy up the borders, and that took a load off.