If you are an avid gardener, then winter is probably your least favorite season because it won’t grow much during the winter. If you live in one of the northern states, you’re likely to experience quite a bit of snow this winter. You may not even be able to see your garden area.
However, there are things you can do during the winter to prepare for spring.
Garden planning
Winter is a good time to think about what you will grow in spring. Map out your garden on paper or on the computer. Research the plants you want to grow in spring.
Sometimes it can be helpful to make a rough drawing of your backyard. If you have a fence, start there. What plants will look best growing next to your fence? Below are some examples:
- hollyhocks
- Delphiniums
- Foxglove
- Clematis
- cherry laurel
- Boxwood
As your garden area progresses, you will want plants that are progressively shorter. In the border, it is often best to grow a ground cover such as Red Creeping Thyme. It is a colorful plant that will cover scarce areas of the ground. Sedum also works well.
Some small trees are also a good idea to create interest in your garden. Crape Myrtle is a smaller, well-known tree that provides shade, beautiful flowers, and even fragrance for your garden. These are also hardy trees that do well in colder climates. There are dozens of varieties and colors to choose from. This will depend mainly on your own tastes and preferences. Crape Myrtle can be planted right in the middle of your garden or outdoors around the patio.
plant research
During the winter, you can do some research on Crape Myrtle, ground cover, flowering plants, and anything else you want to grow. Many gardeners enjoy aromatic plants because they attract hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects.
Prepare the tools
Winter is a good time to check all your lawnmowers, cultivators and garden tools. You can clean and lubricate them. Inspect the hoses to see what needs replacing. Your lawnmower may need some parts replaced. Take inventory of any mulches and fertilizers you have on hand. Once you have completed all of these tasks, you can make a list of things that need to be done. You will know what needs to be replaced or repaired. Completing these tasks before spring will ensure that you are ready once the weather starts to warm up.
A garden is a work in progress that changes from season to season and year to year. Experienced gardeners are aware of this fact and have even learned to appreciate how fleeting their outdoor spaces are.
When a plant overgrows or underperforms in its current location, it is best to choose a replacement. Try some new and different plants next year. Think outside the box and choose some plants that you may not have experience with. This provides a great learning experience.
The gardening mistake
Gardeners never stop tinkering, they never stop developing, and they never stop dreaming. When one area of their property is beautiful, they move on to the next. This is often because gardening is relaxing. It’s therapeutic. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful garden. Even if you only have a small space, you can develop a beautiful garden there.
References:
20+ Garden Ideas – Inspiring Gardening Ideas | Garden design
Garden tools, planters, raised beds +More | Gardener Supplies (gardeners.com)
