Start 2026 of the Right Way

2026 New Year, New Dirt: Central Texas Gardening Resolutions That Might Actually Stick

Ah yes, the New Year. That magical time when gym memberships spike, planners are purchased with wild optimism, and your yard is quietly judging you for what happened last summer.

If you live in Central Texas, you already know gardening here isn’t for the faint of heart. Our weather has commitment issues, our soil has opinions, and the sun does not believe in mercy. But don’t worry—this year, we’re doing things smarter, not harder (or at least we’re planning to).

Let’s dig into some realistic, slightly humorous, and very Central Texas–approved ways to make your garden and outdoor spaces thrive in the year ahead.

1.     Accept That Your Yard Lives in Texas (Not a Pinterest Board)

Repeat after me: “My landscape does not need to look like an English countryside.”

Central Texas yards do best when we embrace plants that laugh in the face of heat, drought, and forgetful watering habits. Native and adapted plants—think **salvia, lantana, native grasses, red yucca, and desert willows are the overachievers of our region. They show up, do the work, and don’t complain.

Your New Year’s resolution?

👉 Stop fighting nature. Start working with it.

2.     Improve Your Soil (Yes, Even If You’re Scared of What’s Under There)

Our soil ranges from “solid limestone” to “clay that could be used to make pottery.” Either way, it usually needs help.

Adding compost and organic matter is the single best thing you can do for your garden this year. It improves drainage, boosts nutrients, and makes your plants feel like they’re living in a luxury condo instead of a construction site.

Bonus: composting makes you feel very smug and environmentally responsible. Win-win.

3.     Water Smarter, Not More (Your Plants Hate Drama)

In Central Texas, water is precious—and so is your water bill. The goal this year is deep, infrequent watering, not daily sprinkles that barely make it past the surface.

If you don’t already have one:

 Invest in a drip irrigation system or a simple soaker hose with timer

 Use mulch (seriously, mulch is magic)

 Water early in the morning, before the sun goes full Texas on you

Your plants will grow stronger roots, and you’ll spend less time arguing with your sprinkler timer.

4.     Make Your Outdoor Space Somewhere You Actually Want to Be

If your backyard currently feels like “that place you mow,” let’s change that.

Think:

 A small shade tree or pergola

A cozy patio or seating area

*Pathways, lighting, or even a fire pit for those three weeks of perfect weather we get every year

Your outdoor space should feel like an extension of your home—just with more birds and fewer emails.

5.     Plan Ahead (Future You Will Be Very Grateful)

Winter and early spring are the best times to:

 Plan landscape upgrades

Install trees and shrubs

Prep garden beds before the heat hits

Future You, standing outside in August, will look back on this moment and say, “Wow. That was a solid decision.”

Final Thought: Gardening Is Supposed to Be Fun

Not perfect. Not Instagram-ready at all times. Just fun.

Plants will die. Weather will surprise you. Something will bloom when you least expect it, and that makes it all worth it. If you ever feel overwhelmed, just remember—you’re gardening in Central Texas. Surviving is already an accomplishment.

Here’s to a new year of healthier plants, better outdoor living, and dirt under your fingernails (the good kind).

Here’s to a marvelous 2026!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Plant & Landscape Grizzly Bear