Planning ahead is one of the keys to gardening success. To keep your yard and garden in top shape in 2026, add some gardening goals to your New Year’s resolutions. Refine the process by choosing a theme, such as following environmentally friendly gardening practices in 2026.

Improper use of pesticides is a major concern when growing plants. Resolve learning more about pests, diseases, weeds, and other problems your landscape plants, lawn, or food crops are susceptible to. Once problems have been identified, examine all management options, both chemical and nonchemical. If chemicals are needed, choose those with the least potential to cause any type of environmental issues. Read, understand, and follow all product label directions before purchasing and using any pesticide.

Fertilizers can also cause issues when improperly used, both for plants and the environment. Once again, resolve to learn more about the nutrient needs of plants you will be growing and maintaining, including types of nutrients needed, amounts (fertilizer rates), and proper timing of fertilizer application. Once these details have been determined, use extreme care when applying so fertilizers do not end up in ponds, streams, lakes, or other waterways.

Soil test results provide extremely valuable information when fertilizing plants. These results include the levels of major nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium, along with the soil pH. Soil pH influences all nutrients and is simply a measure of how acidic (low pH) or alkaline (high pH) your soil is. This in turn dictates the need, if any, for adding either limestone (if soil is too acidic) or sulfur (if soil is too alkaline). The only way to know soil pH is through soil testing, so consider it for the upcoming growing season.

Further assist your plants obtaining nutrients and having healthy roots by providing good soil conditions. If your soils are high in clay or high in sand content, growing plants can be difficult. Amending these problem soils with organic matter will lead to significant improvements in plant growth. Compost is an excellent organic soil amendment you can make using yard and garden waste through backyard composting. This will solve two problems; what to do with the plant waste and how to improve problem soils!

Finally, resolve to use the UW-Madison Extension Horticulture website for further information on all these topics and many more. Extension offers numerous science-backed articles as well as online educational programs. You can also submit your specific garden questions through an online form as they arise. In addition, learn how to access labs for diagnosis of insects, diseases, and other plant problems that may occur; plus find more details on soil testing. Happy New Year!