Starting a new year is always exciting. There is something in us that hopes and believes that next year will be better, no matter what the facts may indicate, no matter what history has taught us, no matter how good or bad last year
was, we hold on to the thought — Next year will be better.

Last year I had a fine spring garden — lots of squash, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. Because of the rain and relatively cool weather, the plants lasted much longer than they usually do. I was still picking spring tomatoes and peppers when the first frost arrived in November.

Still, this year I’m already planning ways it can be better. I won’t waste space on those bush cucumbers this time. The English climbing variety were too good and too prolific to even think of planting another kind. I want to get some beans in this year. I didn’t plant any last year, and I just love fresh green beans.

Last year I planted a hybrid yarrow that produced truly insipid faded-rose colored flowers. They are, of course, among the healthiest plants in the perennial border, but I have got to yank them out. I’ll go back to the deep yellow variety that looks great, dries easily and doesn’t remind me of old ladies with bad perfume.

I also have to rethink the artichoke issue. I love the idea of artichokes in my garden. I also love to eat artichokes, but so far all the plants have done is take up a lot of space and produce one artichoke bud late in the season that managed to be nipped by frost before it made anything of itself. I don’t have room for non-producers in my small garden. Tough love — that’s my New Year’s gardening resolution. Hope it works!