Living Intentionally in 2025: Why Greenhouses and Gardens Matter
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on our gardening journeys and set intentions for the seasons ahead. As we step into 2025, I’m excited to share my plans for the greenhouse, garden, and the slow-living lifestyle that ties it all together. This year, the focus is on cultivating not just plants but also peace, joy, and sustainability.
Embracing Slow Living in the Garden
Slow living is about savoring the moment, and the garden is the perfect space to practice it. Whether it’s the quiet hum of bees in the zinnia patch or the rhythmic task of transplanting seedlings, gardening teaches us patience and mindfulness. For 2025, I’m doubling down on this philosophy, making intentional choices to simplify my processes and fully immerse myself in each step of the journey.
Greenhouse Goals for 2025
The Yoderbilt greenhouse remains the heart of my gardening endeavors, providing a sanctuary for year-round growing and experimentation. Here’s what’s on the horizon for me:
- Expanded Herb Garden: I’m dedicating a section of the greenhouse to a more extensive herb garden. This will include classics like basil, thyme, and parsley, alongside newcomers like lemon verbena and chocolate mint. I plan to integrate these fresh flavors into seasonal cooking, further enhancing the slow-living experience.
- Geranium Seed Starting: After researching the best seed-starting methods for geraniums, I’m excited to share and expand more on tips I’ve learned. These geraniums will not only add color to the garden but will also serve as thoughtful gifts throughout the year. My friends and family LOVE to see me coming, terra cotta pot in hand.
- Sustainable Practices: Sustainability is a priority. I’m using compost from last year’s kitchen scraps and garden waste, along with soil-blocking techniques, to minimize waste and promote healthy root systems for seedlings. I am also switching to more durable seed trays so they will not need to be replaced as often.
- A Haven for Ferns: Overwintering ferns has been a joy, and they’re thriving in the greenhouse. This year, I’ll experiment with different watering schedules and placements to ensure they remain lush and vibrant by spring. I’ve done everything from cutting them to the base to allowing them to remain their tucked-away full size.
Plans for the Outdoor Garden
As the seasons transition, so too will the focus of the garden:
- Spring: Spring will bring a burst of color with a focus on zinnias, snapdragons, and pansies. These blooms will not only beautify the space but also serve as backdrops for photography sessions. I’ll also be transplanting herbs and vegetables started in the greenhouse to their garden beds.
- Summer: Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and squash will take center stage in summer – ALL grown from seed in my greenhouse. No trips to the garden center. I’m experimenting with heirloom varieties this year to enjoy unique flavors and preserve seeds for future seasons. Companion planting with marigolds and nasturtiums (again, all started from seed in the greenhouse) will help deter pests while adding charm to the beds.
- Autumn: Autumn will be all about harvesting and preserving the season’s bounty. I’m looking forward to canning sauces, drying herbs, and freezing vegetables to savor through winter. Pumpkins will add seasonal flair while enriching the soil for next year.
- Winter: In winter, the garden rests while I plan for the year ahead. The greenhouse remains fully active showing us the workhorse that it truly is. I’ll have an overabundance (and, will be sharing with family and friends) of microgreens and cool-weather crops providing fresh produce for the table. It’s also a time to reflect on what worked well and what could improve. I’m ALWAYS trying to improve for the next season, the next year.
Incorporating Slow Living into Gardening
- Mindful Mornings: Starting each day in the greenhouse or garden with a cup of coffee and a quiet moment to breathe. I seek out fun coffee cups throughout the year to enjoy during the different seasons. An easy and fun little touch!
- Seasonal Eating: Growing and enjoying food that’s in season, reducing reliance on out-of-season produce. This is a huge step and a total game-changer for your family’s food supply! Much more to come on this topic as it is so relevant.
- Community Connection: Sharing the garden’s bounty with neighbors, hosting photography sessions, and collaborating with other gardeners and friends to swap seeds and ideas.
- Creative Expression: Using the garden as a muse for photography, writing, and DIY projects like topiaries and floral arrangements. THIS. This is where more of the magic happens, and I hope everyone incorporates at least a little of this. One of my personal 2025 goals was to pick my paintbrush back up. And, I can promise, that will be happening in my greenhouse. What better space to be creative and s-l-o-w down? I mean, who doesn’t want to be surrounded by a greenhouse garden and colorful blooms that you should only be able to enjoy during the spring and summer?
A Year to Bloom
Using the garden as inspiration for photography, writing, and creative DIY projects like topiaries and floral arrangements truly brings the magic to life. Imagine a space where you can slow down, surrounded by colorful blooms and the tranquility of your greenhouse garden—a space that inspires creativity year-round. One of my 2025 goals is to pick up my paintbrush again, and I know my greenhouse will be the perfect place to do it. Who wouldn’t want to create and unwind in such a beautiful, serene setting?
