Gardening in the winter

On this late January day, with snow coming down outside my window, I am thinking about gardening. For the first time since moving to this house, we had a vegetable garden last year and I am planning to double the raised beds and build more permanent fencing around them. I am also excited to order and plant new varieties of dahlias and zinnias as their splash of color lasts well into the fall.

If, like me, you are anxious to get your hands in the dirt, here are a few things you can do now, while you wait.

• Plan: This is the perfect time to review your existing garden design and think about plants you want to move in the spring, ways to fill in empty spots. Maybe you want to start a vegetable garden? Now is the perfect time to draw up the design and read up about soil and direct sowing versus transplanting seedlings.

• Order: Now’s the time to order seeds and bulbs. With the uptick in home gardening prompted by COVID, lots of online shops ran out last spring or struggled with timely deliveries. Don’t miss the right planting window by procrastinating on your shopping.

• Gear: Maybe you need some new pruning shears? Maybe your shears need sharpening? Did you put away your terra cotta pots without cleaning them first? Is your garden shed a mess? Take care of these tasks now.

• Birds: If you haven’t already, put out some bird feeders. They bring life and color to your yard this time of year.

• Build: Maybe like mine, your 2021 plans call for additional raised garden beds. Head to the hardware store, buy the materials now and get to work. Thinking about building a cold frame to extend the growing season? Why wait?

• Grow: Feeling the urge to watch something grow? While it’s a bit early to start seedlings indoors, you could try growing some herbs, micro greens or bean sprouts. All you need is a sunny window and you will have tasty greens to enjoy in no time. Not a greens fan? No worries, forcing amaryllis or narcissus bulbs is a delightful way to bring color to the grey of winter.

While nothing replaces the feeling of the sun on your neck as you dig in the dirt, taking care of these other tasks now will get us in the garden all the faster.

Photo credit: Fotolia