Winter work for gardeners

...no weeds, just lots of opportunities for Spring Planning.

Garden tasks in January are few. Luckily, the weeds stop growing when it's this cold. One great way to fill the long, dark hours (and prime our creative juices) is to reflect on last years' garden while planning and expanding our gardening repertoires.

Some great gardeners I know keep a gardening journal to record their successes (and any unlikely “learning experiences”). It's a handy place to keep notes, articles, press leaves or flowers, etc. If you don't already have a place to keep this information, January is a perfect time to start a simple notebook, or even just a file. Add clipped newspaper and magazine articles, seed packets, bulb and plant varieties, and jot ideas for your garden. You'll be creating a great reference book that you can review next winter.

Plan for spring
Now that you have some form of gardening journal, put pen to paper. Jot down thoughts you've had as you gaze out over your snow covered garden. Make sketches (most of us aren't artists, don't worry, it's not going in a gallery). I find it helpful to have a mostly-to-scale sketch of my yard and rougher sketches of different parts of the garden. It helps me remember what is where and which varieties I'm planning to plant. Having this gardening record to refer to will elevate your spring planning.

The next step...
Spend some time this winter doing a little research. Whether you will be adding a few plants, incorporating native plants, or are planning an overhaul, talk with other gardeners, call us, visit the library or go online. Once you decide on the plants you would like, call us to find out if it is one we can order for you.

Winter is a great time to expand your gardening horizons. whether you are drawing a new garden plan, incorporating more native species, learning about soil, planning a raingarden, learning about your climate zone or planning . Please call or email us if you'd like some design assistance or plant recommendations.