Thomas Edison, the brilliant inventor who was granted over 1000 US patents, was persistent—to say the least. Working to invent the incandescent light bulb, he is credited with saying “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” a testament to his determination. Whether you’re reading this as a brand-new gardener with your first small garden or a lifelong hobbyist well-versed in all things gardening, as with any hobby there is always more to learn—and boldness and persistence pays off. As we look ahead to a new season in the garden, here are a few areas in which I’m looking to improve and encourage you to as well.

First up, pruning. Late winter and early spring is a great time to prune many different types of plants, but not all—and therein lies the challenge. As a rule, flowering shrubs and trees should be pruned right after flowering for the best results, but perennials, repeat-blooming shrubs, or flowering vines? Well, those can vary widely, so take some time during this quieter season in the garden to study up on the plants you’re growing, consulting with our trusted experts at Vander Giessen’s if you’re unsure whether the information you find online is reliable.

When it comes time to start pruning, be bold—armed with a good quality hand pruner and the knowledge you’ve learned this winter—knowing that by and large, plants are very forgiving, and the worst that can happen in most cases is a season of having an ugly, misshapen plant that takes a year to bounce back. Look at it this way: if a bad pruning job is what it takes to learn how to prune well, it’s time and effort well spent!

Second, pest control. For many people, bug problems are the most discouraging of the varied risks a gardener might face. No matter how beautiful your flowers are or how lush your vegetable garden is, when conditions are right an infestation of aphids or attack of voracious slugs can quickly spoil your oasis.

As with anything, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so I’m resolving to be better this year about watching my plants closely for the start of insect damage, and in some cases, treating preventatively when I know bug issues typically start to show up.

Additionally, if you have struggled with insect problems over the years, remember this: healthy plants tend to resist insect problems more easily than those that are underfed, underwatered, or stressed from erratic care, so for whatever you’re planning to grow this year, set a regular care schedule to keep your plants in peak condition which will help them resist pest problems.

Third, don’t be afraid to fail. Very few gardeners have any formal training in “how to garden”—in fact, most of us have learned simply by trial and error. Did you once plant an astilbe in a dry flowerbed in full sun? Or have you tried growing lavender in a dark corner under your north-facing eaves? Neither of those situations probably worked out for those plants, but what did it cost you? A few dollars (if you didn’t get a chance to move it to a better location before it kicked the bucket) and a little bit of sweat from digging a hole, but it’s a lesson learned and will serve you well in future plant selections for those areas.

With the mindset of not being afraid to fail, I’m looking forward to trying new things in my garden this year. New combinations of flowers in my patio pots? Sure! Planting a shade-loving perennial in a sunny spot to test its hardiness and try to stretch my boundaries? Absolutely—with plenty of water to help compensate for the extra sun, of course. A new crop for the vegetable garden? Why not? Every experiment in the garden is a success, because your plants will either thrive or teach you a valuable lesson to carry into future years.

As we embark together on a new year of gardening, don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment in your garden. Edison found success in trying new things, even if it took thousands of attempts to create the light bulb. Don’t be discouraged by that saying, though—it won’t take you 10,000 attempts to prune your hydrangeas properly!