Instead of spending time and money at the gym, spend it in your landscape. Resolve to combine your exercise resolution with your garden goals.
For the past couple of years I’ve suggested New Year’s resolutions of reduce, reuse and recycle. I still stand behind them all. But we all know the most common resolution for Americans is to get healthy!
So this time I’m suggesting you combine your fitness resolution with your gardening goals. Get healthy while you get gardening!
It’s been said the best way to keep a New Year’s resolution is to be specific. Here are a few specific ideas to get started.
Idea
Remove 200 square feet of turf to create a garden for butterflies.
Result
Burn thousands of calories removing turf and digging holes, as well as mental health knowing you’re creating a much-needed habitat.
Idea
Start a compost pile.
Result
Build upper body strength while building the compost bin, plus eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers and landfill waste.
Idea
Use your leaves for mulch.
Result
Healthy, happy heart raking up leaves to toss in the compost bin or mowing them twice to let nature compost them for you.
Idea
Choose Texas-tough natives that thrive.
Result
Eliminate the need for pesticides or fertilizers on your yard this year.
Idea
Learn the names of 10 different plants in your yard.
Result
More fresh air and exercise by observing and enjoying your garden.
Idea
Challenge yourself to take more than 10,000 steps every week in the garden.
Result
Realizing the benefits of using Texas native plants, compost and mulch, and saving 10,000 gallons of water each month!
If you have a get-gardening-get-healthy idea, we want to hear it! Share it with us on Facebook or Twitter. And, if you try any of our ideas, let us know when you’ve accomplished them. We want to celebrate with you! Have a happy, healthy and joyous new year!
