QUIZ: What Old Gardening Habit Should You Leave Behind This Year?

[TEG Project Manager]

A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. And that includes your garden habits too. We all pick up little routines over time. Some help us grow better plants. Others… not so much.

Maybe it’s something you learned years ago. Maybe it’s a shortcut that worked once and stuck around. Or maybe it’s just a habit you never stopped to question.

This quiz is not about judgment. It’s about gentle “aha” moments. Think of it like cleaning out a garden shed. You keep what works. You let go of what doesn’t.

Grab a cup of tea and answer honestly. Ready?

1. When something goes wrong in the garden, what do you usually do?​

A. Blame the weather and move on
B. Add more water just in case
C. Dig around the plant to check the roots
D. Pull it out and start over

2. How do you usually water your garden?​

A. A little every day
B. Whenever I remember
C. Deep watering less often
D. Only when plants look sad

3. What do you do with weeds?​

A. Ignore them until they take over
B. Pull them once they are huge
C. Pull them while they are small
D. Cover the soil so fewer weeds grow

4. How often do you improve your soil?​

A. Never, plants should handle it
B. Only when something looks wrong
C. Once a season
D. Regularly with compost or mulch

5. How closely do you follow planting seasons?​

A. I plant whenever I feel like it
B. I guess based on last year
C. I loosely follow a calendar
D. I check timing before planting

6. How do you deal with pests?​

A. Spray right away
B. Panic and try everything
C. Watch first, then act
D. Focus on healthy plants instead

7. What is your pruning style?​

A. I avoid pruning at all
B. I cut whenever plants look messy
C. I prune at the right time
D. I research before cutting

8. What happens to your garden tools?​

A. Left wherever I last used them
B. Rinsed off sometimes
C. Cleaned at the end of the season
D. Cleaned and stored properly

9. How do you plan your garden each year?​

A. No plan at all
B. Same layout every year
C. Small changes here and there
D. Thoughtful planning based on last year

10. When plants fail, how do you feel?​

A. Frustrated and ready to quit
B. Annoyed but I try again
C. Curious about what went wrong
D. Motivated to learn more

Results: What Habit Should You Leave Behind?​

Mostly A’s
Leave behind ignoring the basics.
This year, focus on soil, timing, and simple care. A little attention goes a long way.

Mostly B’s
Leave behind guessing and reacting.
Your garden will do better with calm, steady routines instead of last-minute fixes.

Mostly C’s
Leave behind overthinking small mistakes.
You are doing a lot right. Trust yourself and enjoy the process more.

Mostly D’s
Leave behind perfectionism.
Gardening is not about doing everything right. It is about learning and growing.

Conclusion​

Every year is a chance to garden smarter and lighter. You do not need to change everything. Just let go of one habit that no longer serves you.

So, what did your results say? Share below and tell us which habit you are leaving behind this year.