Winter Gardening – Jump Start the Season!
What Gardeners Can Do in the Winter Months to Plan for Next Season
Winter gardening chores can be the roadmap to success. Winter always felt like a quiet pause in the garden to me, a time when everything slowed down and the earth rested. But as a gardener, I’ve learned that this is when the real work begins.
With snow on the ground and the garden dormant, I find myself reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the season ahead. The quiet gives me space to plan, to adjust, and to set goals for what I want to achieve.
It’s a time for thoughtful reflection and preparation, and it’s amazing how much can be done—even when it feels like the garden is asleep.
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Winter Gardening Tasks
1. Reflect on the Past Season
Take time to review what worked and what didn’t in your garden last year. Did certain plants thrive while others struggled? Were pests or diseases an issue? Keeping a garden journal with notes on these details will help you make better decisions for the upcoming season.
Grab a Fun Printable Garden
Print only what you need!
Many of the following tasks can be tracked or recorded in your planner!
I also find that reviewing all the videos and photos I take during the gardening season helps tremendously! Make sure to record your garden from start to finish.
2. Plan Your Layout
Winter is an excellent time to sketch out your garden layout. Think about:
- Crop rotation for vegetable gardens to prevent soil depletion.
- Companion planting strategies to maximize growth and deter pests.
- New flower beds or focal points you’d like to create.
3. Order Seeds and Bulbs Early
Seed catalogs arrive during the winter months, offering inspiration and ideas. Popular varieties often sell out quickly, so ordering early ensures you get what you want. Look for:
- Unique vegetables or flowers to try.
- Native plants to support pollinators.
- Perennials to establish a long-lasting garden.
The neat thing about a garden planner/journal is you can keep track of seeds you already have so you will save money and time!
And don’t forget about a fun and easy way to grow new plants! Winter Sowing!
Try Winter Sowing!
4. Prune Dormant Plants
Take advantage of your plants’ dormancy to prune shrubs and trees. Proper pruning improves structure, encourages healthy growth, and increases blooms or fruit production. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom.
Aka: Don’t prune lilacs or macrophyllia hydrangeas at this time!
5. Test and Amend Your Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden. Winter is a great time to:
- Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels.
- Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil.
- Plan for specific amendments, such as lime for acidic soil or sulfur for alkaline conditions. (I prefer to use cover crops, Buckwheat is noted for balancing the PH naturally just by growing it in the soil in question)
Did you know you can directly sow this flower in the dead of winter?
6. Maintain and Repair Tools
Check your garden tools and equipment for wear and tear:
- Sharpen pruners, loppers, and shears.
- Oil metal parts to prevent rust.
- Repair or replace broken tools so everything is ready when spring arrives.
7. Keep a Compost Pile Going
Composting doesn’t have to stop in winter. Add kitchen scraps, shredded paper, and dry leaves to your compost pile. Turning it occasionally will keep the decomposition process going, ready to provide nutrient-rich compost in the spring.
I know this is not applicable where things really freeze hard but there are the countertop composting gadgets available or some bury scraps in a container they have in the ground.
I cheat and let my chickens do all the work for me!
Adding the chicken litter to my compost bin also keeps it cooking through the winter with some easy turning.
8. Indoor Winter Gardening
If you’re itching to grow something, try indoor gardening:
- Start seeds for early spring vegetables or flowers.
- Grow herbs on a sunny windowsill.
- Experiment with hydroponics or grow lights for year-round production.
Easy Indoor Seed Starting for Fun!
9. Educate Yourself
Use the downtime to learn new gardening techniques. Read books, watch tutorials, or attend online workshops. Topics to explore include:
- Organic pest control methods.
- Designing pollinator-friendly landscapes.
- Advanced pruning techniques for specific plants.
I Have Tons to Share on My YouTube Channel
10. Organize Your Garden Supplies
Sort through your gardening shed or storage space. Discard old or expired seeds, consolidate half-used fertilizer bags, and organize tools for easy access. A tidy space saves time and reduces frustration during the busy growing season.
11. Set Goals for the New Season
Think about what you want to achieve in your garden next year:
- Do you want to grow more of your own food?
- Are you aiming for a low-maintenance garden?
- Would you like to attract more wildlife or pollinators?
Write down your goals and create actionable steps to make them a reality.
Winter doesn’t mean the gardening fun has to stop—it’s a time for reflection, preparation, and dreaming big. By taking these steps now, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when spring arrives, ensuring a bountiful and beautiful garden all season long.
Happy planning and dreaming!
