Winter can be a difficult time for us gardeners. Especially in the months after Christmas when the decorations and lights have been packed up and our gardens are covered in a thick layer of snow. But just because there’s nothing to do in the garden doesn’t mean we can’t plan next spring’s garden.
Winter is a great opportunity to plan next year’s garden. As an avid gardener, I relish the opportunity to take stock of the successes and failures of the past year and figure out how I can make things bigger or better. Just as a well-built house starts from a set of plans, a fantastic garden requires a vision of the future.
Towards the end of winter, when the warm days start to return, go out into your garden with a pen and notebook and take a survey of what needs to be done. Do perennials need to be moved or divided? Would you like to put a new bed, and where? It’s a good idea to pay attention to the amount of light versus the amount of shade that different spots in your garden receive.
Different plants prefer different amounts of light and this information can be found in most catalogs. If you are planting vegetables, draw a general diagram of what you want to plant and where. Don’t forget crop rotation!
Once the ground thaws, it’s a good idea to do a soil test; especially before starting new garden beds. You can usually send a sample to your local extension office or university for a small fee.
Other activities to keep you busy in the winter months include:
Clean and repair your garden tools. – Cleaning your hand tools of mud and rust, sharpening them, and then coating them with oil to protect them will make them last for decades.
take care of indoor plants – My houseplants always seem to get neglected during the summer months when I prefer to be outside. Now is the time to give them some love. Take care of any pest problems. Divide or prune roots of plants that have become stuck in pots. The divisions you make can be used as gifts for Easter or Mother’s Day.
Feed the birds – Build or buy a bird feeder. The wildlife you attract can provide many hours of entertainment for the whole family.
start shoots – Sprouts are an easy way to keep growing your own nutritious vegetables through the winter. All you need is a mason jar and a windowsill. Many health food stores carry seeds for sprouting, and instructions are usually found on the packaging.
Grow an indoor herb garden – If you have a large south-facing window, you’re good to go. Otherwise, you can purchase high-output grow lights that allow you to grow herbs and vegetables indoors year-round. There are even kits online that come with everything you need to get an indoor herb garden up and running.
Visit a local greenhouse or nursery – Enjoying all the colors and scenery can be cathartic when the winter blues get you down.
Attend gardening seminars and gardening shows. – Many seminars and shows are scheduled for the winter, when serious producers have time to attend.
buy more books – I don’t know about you, but I never have enough gardening books.
Whatever you do, don’t despair! I hope these activities can help you stay sane during the winter months.