The 1% Rule: A Game-Changer for Garden Maintenance
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the never-ending tasks of maintaining a garden, you’re not alone. We all have moments where we look at our garden and think, "Where do I even start?" Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, the 1% Rule offers a gentle, effective, and stress-free way to keep up with garden care—without burnout.
I first learned this decluttering principle from fellow Canadian Meg Golightly, and it applies perfectly to gardening. Instead of waiting for the perfect time to do it all, just do 1% today. Little by little, these small efforts add up to big results—keeping your garden healthier, more productive, and far more enjoyable.
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What is the 1% Rule?
The 1% Rule is simple: instead of waiting for the perfect time to tackle everything, focus on small, daily wins—because tiny efforts add up to big results.
When applied to garden maintenance, the 1% Rule helps:
✔️ Break down overwhelming tasks into small, manageable steps
✔️ Build long-term habits so your garden stays in great shape
✔️ Eliminate the “all-or-nothing” mindset that leads to procrastination
✔️ Make gardening feel effortless instead of stressful
Whether it’s five minutes of weeding, watering one section, or deadheading just a few flowers, every small action contributes to a thriving, well-maintained garden.
Small Garden Tasks That Make a Big Difference
Instead of putting off garden tasks until they feel overwhelming, try these quick, 1% maintenance tasks whenever you have a spare moment:
🌱 Weed for 5 minutes – Focus on one small section, rather than the whole garden.
🌿 Deadhead flowers – A few snips encourage continuous blooming.
🍃 Snip some herbs – Regular harvesting keeps them from going to seed.
💧 Water deeply in one area – Focus on one bed instead of feeling rushed.
🔄 Turn the compost – Even a quick flip improves decomposition.
🐛 Check for pests – Look over one or two plants instead of inspecting everything.
🌾 Thin out seedlings – Stronger plants grow better with space.
🪴 Mulch a small section – One bag of mulch at a time keeps things manageable.
🌿 Tidy up a corner – Prune, sweep, or refresh a container garden.
🥕 Harvest a few veggies – Frequent picking encourages more production.
It’s about progress, not perfection. Every tiny action adds up—and before you know it, you’ll look around and realize your garden is thriving, without the stress.
Why the 1% Rule Works
Gardens are constantly changing, and perfection isn’t the goal—consistency is. The 1% Rule helps you stay on top of tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
Instead of waiting until your garden is overgrown, parched, or neglected, this small-but-mighty habit keeps things in check—without the guilt of falling behind. It’s also a great way to stay connected to your garden, observing the changes daily rather than letting weeks pass by.
So if you’ve ever thought, "I don’t have time to maintain my garden"—remember, you don’t need hours. You just need one small action today.
Want More Gardening & Sustainability Tips?
📩 Join my newsletter for weekly garden maintenance hacks, planting tips, and sustainability insights! Plus, grab my free Seed Starting Guide, with sowing recommendations by zone and frost date to help you time your planting perfectly!
➡️ Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up!