Simple tasks top gardeners New Years resolutions

Raking leaves, weeding garden beds and pruning shrubs are among the most common New Years resolutions for American gardeners, it has been reported.

While the cold weather means that many gardening enthusiasts wont be getting their tools out for some weeks, most have already thought about the year ahead.

According to an informal study carried out by Pam Sawyer, a Master Gardener at the University of Florida, the majority of resolutions involve simple tasks requiring relatively little effort but which are likely to lead to substantial rewards over the long-term.

These include investing in good-quality plants from the start, growing more vegetables and keeping tools in good shape.

At the same time, the gardeners polled by the expert also expressed a desire to do more for the environment, with recycling and composting set to be more commonplace in US gardens in 2010 than in previous years.

Writing in the Tallahassee Democrat, Ms Sawyer also revealed: "I resolve to have more parties in my garden, so that I can share with other gardeners while we are drinking beer."

At the same time, the New Brunswick Tribune said bird feeders are likely to have been among the most popular Christmas gifts for gardening enthusiasts.