Garden Goals for the New Year: Inspiration from Our Team & Clients

One of the things we love most about gardening is that no two gardens—and no two gardeners—are ever the same. You’ve already seen how different Sarah’s and Abi’s goals are: one rooted in creating meaningful, food-filled moments, the other driven by the challenge (and delight) of harvesting something every single week of the year. Neither is “better.” They’re just different, and both deeply satisfying in their own way.

So we decided to open it up and ask the rest of the Tennessee Kitchen Gardens team: What’s driving your garden this year? A new skill you want to learn? A crop you’re determined to finally figure out? A goal that’s practical, silly, or a little bit ambitious?

And because gardens have a way of inviting conversation, we couldn’t resist including a few goals we’ve already heard from our clients, too. No matter your experience level, there’s always something new to experiment with, refine, or dream about—if you want to. That’s the magic of gardening. It evolves with you. That’s why gardeners are never bored. Boring everyone else by talking about their garden? Almost never.

Emily: Starting Early

I’m working toward getting an earlier start on seed starting this year.  I have just set up my basement with racks so I can start seeds and avoid our kitchen looking like a big science experiment.  Starting seeds on cold days last year was not super fun outside, so I’m looking forward to using my little makeshift potting table inside. Last year, I realized I could have done more cool season veggies, so I don’t want to miss out this year! 

Melissa: Growing Up

I have a suburban backyard that I've thoughtfully utilized to maximize every inch for both growing and outdoor living for my family. My 2026 garden focus is vertical growth-adding more trellises and upright supports to create additional growing space. The sky's the limit!

Justin: Trusting in Nature

 In 2026, my primary goal in gardening is quite simple: Don't fight nature. A few years ago, I moved into an adorable house that's surrounded by mature oaks and maples and hackberries. For most of the year, especially the growing season, my yard is almost entirely shaded. Still, I've tended to view the “successes” and “failures” in my gardens by the same criteria as when I was growing in full, unadulterated sun. This year, I’m determined to fight nature less – whether the shade; the rain; the dry; the critters; the weeds; or the acorns and leaves and dropped limbs. Because nature knows best! And it’s incredibly unfair to measure my gardens here – in this space, in this ecosystem, in this microclimate – against any other garden I’ve grown in any other scenario. My intention will be to trust the earth, the seasons, ecology, and our environment, and to stop reducing my relationship with the plants around me to “successes.” Gardening isn’t a competition, nature isn’t something you can win or lose.

Kate: More focused, More flowers

I have 3 main garden goals for 2026. Goal #1- is growing vegetables we will actually eat and enjoy. I have a quirky habit of planting ones that look fun in seed catalogs that we don’t really use enough. However, I always do at least one “new to me” vegetable a year —kalettes are up for 2026. Goal #2- expand my cut flower garden by 25% which should make it profitable!! Goal #3- properly label all my dahlias this year with the intention of being able to sell tubers on a small scale in 2027!

Clients’ Goals

In our end-of-season feedback survey, we asked clients what they want to focus on in their gardens in 2026. When we zoom out, some clear (and very relatable) themes emerge, many of them emotional as much as practical. And how cool that they echo so much of what we’ve been sharing over the past few weeks in our own goal-setting.

Our community is craving more intentionality: planting less of what didn’t get used and more of what truly fed their families, both practically and joyfully. There’s a strong desire to learn by doing, especially during planting season, when understanding really clicks into place. We’re hearing lots of excitement about more flowers (amen!), trying new veggie varieties, and better succession planting, alongside hopes of improving results with familiar favorites like kale, zucchini, eggplant, and squash.

Several clients shared goals around independence and confidence — wanting to feel capable of managing their gardens on their own over time. And woven through it all is something we love most: gardens serving as places of connection between partners, with kids who are growing up, and with a deeper sense of place and rhythm in everyday life.

Taken together, these goals capture what makes gardening such a joyful practice. Once you start paying attention, there’s always another layer to explore, another small adjustment to try, another quiet win waiting for you.

So what will you try this year? Whether your goal is ambitious or simple, brand-new or a 4th year repeat, we’d love to hear what you’re growing toward in 2026. And if you want some support along the way, you know where to find us. We’re always happy to walk the garden with you.