Top 10 New Year's Garden Resolutions

A new year - a new garden. Get a jump start and plan now to have a beautiful garden this summer with these easy garden resolutions.

Grow a vegetable garden. Check with your local grower for the highest quality seeds and start small: 10x10 is plenty of space to get your garden off to a great start. Easy plants to grow: Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Radishes, Tomatoes and Spinach are all vegetables that are kind to beginners.

Zone Planting. Having a yard to be proud of can be costly and time consuming. One way to cut down on both the cost and the time involved is to shop with Mother Nature. Plant species that are indigenous to your USDA Hardiness Zone.

Enrich the soil. Budgets may be tight this year, so break down your costs and start buying vitamins, manure, and other microbes you need to feed your soil. But a little each month through the winter and by the time your daffodils show their faces you'll have everything you need ... and you can spend your money on the plants, not dirt.

Fight weeds before they happen. Let's face it, weeds are a constant worry and weed killers don't always work. Get some garden fabric or black plastic from your local hardware store and secure it with mulch, bark or stones. These weed fighters are designed to let nutrients in, but keep pesky weeds out. They also hold in moisture and keep your soil warmer during the cold season.

Aerate the lawn. Invest in a lawn aerater, hire a local company or rent an aerating machine from the local hardware store. Rentals can be made hourly or for the day - coordinate with your neighbors to cut down the cost!

Mulch. Perk up your garden and replace the mulch. If you have the money to invest, try mulch from recycle rubber/tires!

Herb Garden. A few clay pots, some soil and a few seeds will make all the difference in the world for your recipes. Some great herbs that grow year round: Basil, Mint, Rosemary, Chervil, Oregano and Thyme. All they need is a window with a little sun.

Buy Live Ladybugs. Make a trip to local hardware store Garden Department. They often sell live ladybugs and a little goes a long way and when it comes to keeping your garden pest free, nothing works like the Ladybug. Lure them naturally with Cosmos, Fennel, Dill, or Geraniums.

Fresh Cut Flowers. Plant annuals that bloom in abundance and that are safe to have indoors. Having a "cutting" garden or even a few cutting flowers results in a beautiful garden, inside and out. Where to start: Daisies, Roses, Sunflowers, Geraniums, Lavender.

Add some whimsy. What do you want your garden to say? Try adding a sculpture piece, a birdhouse, a wind chime or an engraved stone with a favorite quote.