What a year 2023 was! From droughts to fires to insect plagues, and some incredible failures and incredible harvests, we've certainly had our work cut our for us. One thing that gardening seems to teach us all is the need for adapability and resilience, so that's one thing we should wish upon each other for the coming new year.

Whilst not all of us celebrated Christmas, most of us are at the time of year when it's feeling at least a little festive - we're contemplating where we've been and where to next, and having a little break or spending time with family and friends. THere does seem to be something in the air at this time of year, whether it's a winter wonderland or some beach time. I think it's just a nice time to send well wishes to the people that you care about and those that you've shared time with this year, and in that spirit, I'm sending you big Hive Garden love!

Each and everyone of you has contributed in fabulous ways to this community - from @akipponn's one metre garden to @bigsweed's beets, @farm-mom's flowers, @jepkupi's happy smiling face, @isdarmady's aquaponics, @sofs-su's beautiful philosophising and gardening passion, @fermentedphil's love of rocket and other unusual garden edibles, @plantstoplanks pumpkins and squash, @goldenoakfarm's inspirational homesteading, @antnn's new land in France, @samstonehill's electromagnifying diy, @ligayagardner's herbal (and fungi) medicine, and even @traisto, @fotostef and @trucklife-family's olive harvest. There's also the Asian contingent keeping us jealous with their harvest all through the year - @bigeyes2012, @tomidiwirja, and more. and those that also have started to join in the #creativegarden challenge like @hadrianwild and @albohada.

Of course, I can't name you all - I have a garden to tend to, particularly the overgrown elder that need prunings as I can't get into the chicken coop without a confetti of flowers and wet dew. But I appreciate every single one of you and absolutely love stewarding this community as best I can!

Without further ado, let's get into the January Challenge!

The Challenge

Write a #gardenjournal post! This could be:

• Detailing what's happening in your garden, from successes to failures
• Writing about a friend's garden
• Writing about a visit to a botanical garden or nursery
• Writing about your favourite plant

The Guidelines

• You MUST put a link to your post below or I won't include it.
• Please do NOT share ten photos of the SAME plant! Be selective.
• 300 words minimum - this is not a photo challenge.
• Comment on other posts in the community
• Use #gardenjournal as your first tag and post in the community.

The Prizes

3 x 2 HIVE to quality, engaging posts (courtesy of @riverflows). We reward for passion, presentation, and engagement. We do try not to award the same people each week but sometimes this can't be helped!

If you'd like to sponsor a winner, please get in touch!

Tagging #gardenjournal members as a reminder! Please let me know if you'd like to be adde or removed from this list.

^{@plantstoplanks @jude9 @sofs-su @nikv @owasco @umirais @buckaroobaby @farm-mom @thebigsweed @polesinns @andrastia @multifacetas @amygoodrich @jenthoughts @fanyokami @isdarmady @anafae @tanjakolader @yolithy24 @andrastia @minismallholding @goldenoakfarm @sanjeevm @nainaztengra @rem-steem @almi @leoplaw @denmarkguy @akiponn @dodovietnam @fermentedphil @galenkp @ifarmgirl @tomidiwirja @tengolengo @ciadanmea @kennyroy @simplymike @dodovietnam @babeltrips @trangbaby @kaelci @shanibeer @proto26 @ifarmgirl @artemislives @edprivat @meesterboom @momogrow @antnn @luckylaica @blingit @traisto @fotostef @tydynrain @hindavi @steven-patrick @vibeof100monkeys @samstonehill @anttn @friendlymoose @jacksonizer @ciadanmea @tuocchu @gertu @artywink @dora381 @stortebeker @zakludick @maytom @juwell11 @chuch @maxdevalue @travoved @sunscape @alt3r @ninahaskin, @housecatharsia @promisedland @chidiadi65 @bigorna1 @actioncats @lifewithchel @aichel @hadrianwild}

Happy Gardening!

^{We support gardening, homesteading, cannabis growers, permaculture and other garden related content. Delegations to the curation account, @gardenhive, are welcome!*}