With the new year comes a new beginning and a chance to do things differently. As you make plans for the next 12 months, try setting new-year goals in addition to making New Year’s resolutions. Goals can be checked off as they are accomplished and can be fun when treated as a challenge. Once you complete a goal, reward yourself with a small celebration.

With this in mind, here are my top 10 list of gardening goals for 2005:

10. I will not apply white grub control before July. Grubs are not active before this time and can be killed more easily later in the season.

9. I will only apply white grub control if I need it. Grub control is necessary only if there are three to five grubs per 1 square foot area. Finding a few grubs here and there does not warrant a complete lawn treatment.

8. I will apply pre-emergent herbicide in April — the same time the redbuds and lilacs are in full bloom.

7. I will not overseed my lawn with Kentucky 31 fescue. Although a tough, drought-tolerant turfgrass, it is better suited for large acreage and pastures. Choose a turf-type fescue instead.

6. I will raise the mowing height on the lawn mower. Mowing grass too short can create several problems. Generally speaking, the higher grass is mowed the less weeds there will be.

5. I will not spray every bug I find in the landscape. Only one tenth of one percent of the bugs in the landscape can cause harm.

4. I will plant my trees and shrubs at the proper depth. Plants that are planted too deeply usually die within two years of establishment. To prevent this, dig the hole only as deep as the root ball and do not add soil amendments to the backfill.

3. I will plant an extra row of tomatoes, cucumbers or other delicious vegetables so I can share them with my friends and neighbors.

2. I will begin to recycle my organic material by building a compost pile.

1. I will take at least one soil test in my yard, flower bed or garden.