Happy 2026! We kicked off the year with a Super Full Moon. Last November on my garden show, Better Lawns and Gardens, I talked about the full moons of 2026 and mentioned that North American full moon symbols never resonated with me or seemed to represent Florida well. I invited listeners to suggest their own ideas for Florida full moon symbols, and some of their recommendations were excellent! Look at the symbols I've selected for Florida's new Full Moon. Do they resonate with you?

This year is full of major events: the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary (Sesquicentennial) , and speaking of kicking off, the FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—with matches taking place in big cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and Seattle—and NASA is planning the Artemis II Moon Mission, which aims to send four astronauts on a 10-day flight around the Moon between February and April as part of the next phase in its lunar exploration program.  Millions of people will watch the World Cup and the Moon landing on TV or online. However, you can attend the Sesquicentennial events in person and experience it firsthand in the Spirit of 1776.

The United States Sesquicentennial celebration is a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime occasion. To mark this special event, Art in Bloom Garden Tours has organized a distinctive garden tour that highlights several of the oldest and most historic cities, homes, and gardens from the Revolutionary War era.  This tour encompasses historic landmarks, botanical gardens, and private estates, with some accessible for only a single day this year. Our itineraries feature the Revolutionary Garden Tour, highlights of English gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as the renowned Newport Flower Show, complemented by an excursion to Martha’s Vineyard and a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum. These tours, along with the rest, are exceptional journeys that will spark your imagination and inspire ideas for your own garden.

What is on your bucket (pronounced ‘bouquet’) list this year? Put your wish list in the comments! I would love to hear.  Many happy gardening days for you this year.