Gardeners, missing your garden? Winter is a perfect time to dream, research, and plan for next year’s gardens. While this time of year can be a welcome reprieve from yardwork, many gardeners might be missing their favorite hobby. Luckily, there are a number of tasks you can do during cold months.
Dream, Research & Plan
Winter is the perfect time of year to step back and reflect on how your gardens did last year. Hunt for new ideas for designs, plants and other changes or updates you can make next season. If you took pictures and made notes last year, take some time to organize them. Create garden layout sketches so you know what plants you already have and where. There are all sorts of things you can research, learn and plan:
- List plants to divide, move, or replace.
- Research solutions for some of the issues you struggled with last year.
- Learn new techniques such as how to improve your soil, how to combat Japanese Beetles, or any other issues that have popped up in the garden.
- Make a list of the new plants or varieties you’d like to try.
Once spring hits you’ll want to get out into the garden, so taking care of these things now will set you up to hit the dirt running (so to speak).
Gardeners – Order Seeds, Bulbs & Plants
Any avid gardener awaits new plant catalogs like we waited for the toy catalogs to come at Christmastime when we were young. Immersing yourself in these can really pass the time while you list your must-haves and wishes for next spring. Go online and pre-order seeds, bulbs and plants.
Organize & Check Your Seeds & Bulbs
Go through and organize your stock of seeds and bulbs. Throw out any that are moldy or otherwise past their time. You’ll know exactly what you have for this year, and you can make a list of the items you will need to buy or order.
Prepare Your Tools
A great weekend project this time of year is to sharpen and oil your garden tools. Make sure your shears, pruners, loppers, shovels and mower blades are ready to work come spring. Steel wool works well to remove rust from blades and hinges. Oil moving parts well to prevent future rusting. When it’s time to head back out into the garden in spring, you’ll be happy to have nice, sharp tools to work with. Make a list of tools you may need (or want, let’s be serious!) this year.
Create New Designs for Garden Beds, Garden Features or Hardscaping
You don’t have to worry about your artistic skills, just create rough sketches of new ideas you have. Maybe you’d like to add a new garden pathway or add a curved bed around your deck. Get online to look through pictures on Pinterest and other idea sites.
Even if you don’t plan to do any new features yourself, a contractor will need a clear idea of your vision. Speaking of which, now is the time to start looking for a landscape contractor to help you accomplish some of the goals you can’t or don’t want to complete yourself. Get on the phone to talk to people now, and get on their list before they get backed up the minute nice weather hits.
Help Feathered Friends in Winter
You can feel closer to your yard and gardens in the winter if you busy yourself caring for the birds. If you have a water feature or bird bath, keep fresh water available for the birds through the winter by using a heater specifically designed for such use. They will appreciate it and keep you entertained.
Plant an Indoor Herb Garden
You can pacify your gardeners itch by creating an indoor herb garden. Cooking with fresh herbs will bring back the freshness of summer, and just the aromas coming from the plants will brighten any winter day.
We’re Booking Now for Spring & Summer
Like you, we can’t wait to get to work on warm weather projects. We are booking now for spring cleanups and other spring-summer landscaping work like mulching, mowing and planting. We also install hardscaping so if you’ve been dreaming of a new patio or garden path – let us know! Put us on your to-do list to call so we can discuss your ideas and ways we can make your life easier this year.
