New Year, New Garden: Setting Intentions for 2026

I grew up with a mother who was a true hedgewitch at heart. Our kitchen windowsill was always lined with jars of drying herbs—sage, thyme, rosemary, and mint—each picked from her own wild, abundant garden. She believed that herbs weren’t just for flavoring our meals, but for weaving a little bit of magic and healing into everyday life. Watching her, I learned that a garden is more than a patch of earth; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem, and every choice we make—every seed we plant—can shape the world around us for the better.

That early lesson has become my personal mission: I want everyone to experience the joy and satisfaction of growing their own herbs, no matter the size of their space or their level of experience. My garden is happier, healthier, and more alive because of the intention I bring to each season, and I believe yours can be too. As we step into a new year, there’s no better time to set intentions that will transform not just our gardens, but our lives.

The Power of Growing with Intention

Intentional gardening isn’t about rigid rules or perfection. It’s about being present, making mindful choices, and understanding that every action has a ripple effect. When you garden with intention, you create a space that supports a better ecosystem, yields larger harvests, and—perhaps most importantly—makes gardening simpler and more joyful.

I’ve seen firsthand how a few thoughtful decisions at the start of the year can lead to a garden that feels less overwhelming and more rewarding. Instead of reacting to problems as they arise, you’re proactively nurturing the soil, supporting pollinators, and planting what genuinely brings you joy.

The difference is palpable: your garden becomes a place of abundance, not just in vegetables and herbs, but in peace and satisfaction. Over the years, I’ve noticed that the more intentional I am with my planning and daily rituals, the more my garden seems to give back—sometimes in ways I didn’t expect. A single patch of mint, planted for tea, quickly became a pollinator magnet. A bed of basil, tucked between tomatoes, kept pests at bay and made every summer meal taste like sunshine.

Why Intention Makes a Difference

There’s a unique kind of magic that happens when you garden with intention. You start to notice the subtle rhythms of your space—the way the sunlight shifts through the seasons, the patterns of rain and drought, the wildlife that visits your beds. By tuning in, you become a better steward of your own little ecosystem. You’ll find yourself making choices that support not just your harvest, but the health of the soil, the wellbeing of pollinators, and the beauty of your surroundings. It’s a mindset that brings simplicity and clarity to your gardening, making it easier to focus on what matters most.

Three Ways to Be Intentional in Your Garden This Year

1. Create a Garden Plan

Every great garden begins with a dream, but it thrives on a plan. I love to spend a cozy winter afternoon sketching out my beds, mapping where each herb and vegetable will go, and imagining how the garden will look come midsummer. Planning ahead means you can rotate crops for healthier soil, interplant herbs for natural pest control, and ensure you’re making the most of every inch. It’s also a chance to get creative—try companion planting combos, add a pollinator patch, or design a new herb spiral. The act of planning itself is grounding, helping you clarify your goals and set the stage for a successful season.

If you’re new to planning, don’t overthink it! Start with a simple sketch or a list of what you want to grow. Think about what worked (and what didn’t) last year. Maybe you want to dedicate a corner to medicinal herbs or finally try growing a new variety of tomato. The important thing is to make your plan personal and flexible—let it evolve with your dreams and discoveries.

2. Set a Simple Gardening Schedule

Let’s be honest: life gets busy, and even the most passionate gardeners can fall behind. That’s why I swear by a simple, realistic schedule. I jot down key dates for starting seeds, transplanting, pruning, and harvesting, and I set gentle reminders for weekly tasks like watering and weeding. You don’t need to micromanage every day—just having a rhythm helps you stay connected and reduces overwhelm. When you approach gardening as a series of small, intentional rituals, it becomes a source of calm and joy, not a never-ending to-do list.

A schedule can be as simple as a calendar on the fridge or a garden planner by your back door. I like to mark the solstices and equinoxes—natural turning points for reflection and planning. Set aside a few minutes each week to check in on your garden, jot down what you notice, and adjust your plans as needed. These small check-ins keep you grounded and make it easier to celebrate progress, even when it’s slow.

3. Make a Vision Board for Your Garden

This might sound whimsical, but creating a vision board is my favorite way to connect with the spirit of my garden. I gather seed catalogs, photos, and even pressed herbs, and collage them together with words and images that capture what I want to feel in my space—abundance, beauty, resilience. This process isn’t just fun; it gives you a visual anchor for your intentions, something to return to when you need inspiration or a reminder of why you garden in the first place. Pin your board above your potting bench or inside your garden shed, and let it guide your choices all season long.

A vision board can be a solo project or a family affair. Invite your children to add their favorite flowers or vegetables. Paste in a photo of your grandmother’s garden, or a quote that inspires you. The key is to let your imagination lead the way—your vision board is a safe space to dream big and plant seeds for the future.

Building Community: Garden Clubs and Seed Swaps

Gardening is deeply personal, but it’s also a powerful way to connect with others. One of the best ways to stay present and inspired is to join a local garden club or participate in a seed swap. These gatherings are more than just opportunities to exchange seeds—they’re places to share stories, ask questions, and celebrate each other’s successes. I’ve made lifelong friends and discovered new favorite plants simply by showing up and being part of the community. If you’ve never tried it, let this be the year you reach out. You might be surprised by how much richer your gardening journey becomes.

There’s a special energy that comes from being surrounded by fellow gardeners. You’ll learn new techniques, swap hard-earned wisdom, and find encouragement on tough days. Seed swaps, in particular, are a wonderful way to diversify your garden and share in the abundance of your community. Even if you’re shy, remember: gardeners are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Take the leap—you’ll be glad you did.

The Joy of Dreaming and Staying Rooted

As you set your intentions for 2026, remember: everyone can do this. You don’t need acres of land or decades of experience—just a willingness to dream and a little bit of curiosity. Your garden is a place to experiment, to learn, and to grow alongside your plants. When you approach each season with intention, you create a space that not only feeds your body, but nourishes your spirit.

So grab your journal, light a candle, and let yourself imagine what’s possible. Set your intentions, sketch your dreams, and know that you’re rooting yourself in what truly matters. Here’s to a new year, a new garden, and a renewed sense of purpose—may your 2026 be filled with growth, connection, and joy