Great Grandma Kerby and the girls celebrating 103.

An article crossed my news feed this month titled 'Gardening could be the hobby that helps you live to 100'. It's funny that it came out at this time of year, because, if you are a regular Kerby's e-newsletter reader, then you know that we have a special family birthday around Christmastime. This year, Great-Grandma Kerby turned 103. I remember way back at her 100th birthday party, we asked her what advice she would give someone for living a long life. Her answer was: 'Genes, lifestyle, attitude, wisdom and innovation. That's what it takes to get this old. Not gracefully, but effectively.' And even though she didn't include gardening on her list, her lifestyle included getting out and being in the garden until she was almost 101! Concrete proof of what the BBC article lays out for us. Gardening is a great way to be active, and it is something you can keep doing well into old age.

And since a new year is all about new habits, I'm making some gardening resolutions for 2019. The BBC article and Great-Grandma Kerby have given us proof that gardening leads to a long life, so I figure doing more in the garden is better than any diet or exercise resolutions I could make. I do love the start of a new year. It always feels like a great time for fresh starts and new beginnings. What resolutions are you making this year?

From everyone at Kerby's Nursery we wish you a Happy New Year. We'll be open on New Year's Eve until noon and closed on New Year's Day. But don't worry, we are working on all kinds of fun in the garden for 2019. We'll kick it off a little earlier this year with a Houseplants Seminar on January 26th. Check back soon for a full spring 2019 schedule. Have a safe holiday and we'll see you in 2019.

Welcome 2019!

Garden Tip
Gardening Resolutions
With a new year, we're all looking to create new habits. So below are some of the things I'm going to try to do in the garden in 2019.

Grow Spinach - Our garden always has a mix of success and failure. Usually the successes outweigh the failures. Not with spinach. We've grown a variety of lettuces, lots of aruglua, kale and greens, but every time we put out spinach seeds, we get a few sprouts and nothing. This year, I'm determined to get a good spinach harvest.

Pay Attention - I don't know about you, but I get really excited at planting time and then forget to pay attention to the garden in the weeks and months after planting. This year, I'm going to pay attention to my gardens.  I'm going to fertilize on a regular schedule and spray when needed to keep pests away. 

Feed Our Family - #HomeGardentoTable. This year, I want to feed my family from the home garden for at least one day each week. I know that we won't be able to produce everything needed to make three meals, but the goal is to have the the garden as the primary source of food for one day's meals. Time to work on some vegetarian recipes!

Add a Garden - I love gardening of all kinds: veggies, fruit trees, butterflies, roses, basically, I've never met a plant I didn't like. This year, I'm going to add a new garden somewhere in the yard. 

Whatever your plans are for 2019, getting in the garden is always a fun way to spend some time. So make some resolutions and have some fun.

Store Hours
Monday - Saturday,  9am - 5pm
Sunday,  11am - 4pm
Holiday Hours
New Year's Eve, Monday, 12/31 - 9am - 12pm
New Year's Day, Tuesday, 1/1 - Closed