10 Things to Do in Winter to Prepare for Spring Garden

The arrival of freezing winter months does not mean gardeners have to put all gardening activities on hold throughout the season. Use these quieter winter months to prepare for your spring garden, organize your ideas, and get a head start on the new gardening year. No matter which region you live in, there are lots of winter gardening tasks to keep you occupied until spring. From ordering seeds to sowing winter seeds, this winter garden checklist will protect your plants and prepare for the upcoming spring growing season. Don't worry, your winter garden tasks won't be too long or too difficult. It is winter, after all, and you will have plenty of time for your hot chocolate and cozy rest time.

Here are ten things you can do in winter to ensure you can enjoy the best spring garden ever.

1. Order Seeds for Herbs, Flowers, and Vegetables

It's time to order seeds for your spring garden. Rare and high-demand seeds often sell out quickly. Place an order for seeds to start indoor sowing for your spring garden now. This includes seeds for slow-growing cool vegetables, such as cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale, and perennial herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, lemon balm, sage, and marjoram.

One of the essential winter chores is to deliver these seeds to your door as soon as possible, so you can start them right away. Additionally, it is best to order seeds for small plants that you'll be planting directly in the garden soon. This includes seeds for spring root vegetables like carrots, beets, and radishes, as well as small leafy greens like spinach, arugula, spring mix, and buttercrunch. Get these seeds on hand to be ready for spring planting when the time comes.

2. Start Seeds Indoors for Spring Garden

The best way to grow a bountiful spring garden after gloomy winters without spending a lot on plants is to start your own seeds indoors. Depending on the plant, you can start seeds several weeks before the average last frost date in your area. When your seed order arrives, start planting your herbs and large cool-season crops, such as kale, cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard, broccoli, and mustard, in an organic seed starting mix.

Herbs like thyme, mint, basil, and parsley can bring a fresh flavor to seasonal stews and soups. You can place the containers under grow lights and set them on a heating mat to help them sprout more quickly. They will be ready to go out into the garden around 60 days before the last threat of frost.

Read More: Winter Garden Tips and Maintenance for Beginners

3. Prepare Garden Structures

One of the useful and rewarding things to do in winter is to order and prepare garden structures for spring planting. It is the best time to order raised garden beds, containers, trellises, or garden edging that you will need for your garden. If you plan to grow climbing plants like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, sweet peas, or sugar snap peas, you'll need a strong trellis structure to support these plants.

From expanding your vegetable garden or adding native plant spaces to beautify it, winter is the time to plan ahead and secure the necessary materials.

4. Do Winter Pruning

Most plants don't need pruning in winter because pruning in freezing weather can make plants more vulnerable to cold damage, and it can also remove safe hiding spots that pollinators need. However, late winter through early spring is the best time to trim most trees and shrubs, including your favorite fruit trees and deciduous trees that flower on old wood.

Winter pruning improves the plant's health and prepares it for strong growth in spring. If any of your plants suffer from winter damage, feel free to cut away those broken stems in winter. In winter, when the leaves are gone and the structure of the plant is clearly visible, you can easily identify dead or crossing branches.

5. Order and Adjust Garden Covers

When purchasing supplies for your garden, consider investing in plant covers to protect against frosty nights. The simplest solution is to drape frost cloth or row covers over garden hoops placed across your garden. To provide extra cold-weather protection, you can add several sheets of plastic to trap the warm air around your plants.

In colder climates, consider growing in a cold frame, high-tunnel, or greenhouse to protect your plants from the cold. However, if you have already plants growing under covers, keep a close eye on them during the winter months and adjust the coverings as needed.

6. Winter Sow Seeds

Winter sowing involves planting seeds directly in the soil now, well before you expect those plants to grow. Most gardeners use old milk jugs to winter sow their favorite seeds, but it is recommended to plant directly in raised beds. The seeds will remain there in the cold weather and then sprout when the soil warms up.

Winter sowing is an excellent way to get an early start on the spring season while engaging with nature during the cozy holiday season. Seeds spend the coldest part of the year in the soil and then germinate as soon as they sense it's time. You can winter sow seeds for crops like beets, carrots, spinach, radishes, and arugula.

7. Test Your Soil

This is an early winter or late winter task because it will be a challenging chore with frozen soil. Test your soil to determine what fertilizers and soil amendments you may need to add to improve its quality.

A good rule of thumb is to test your garden soil every 1 to 3 years to ensure it is healthy and that its nutrients have not become depleted over time. You can do it yourself at home using an at-home soil testing kit, or you can have your local cooperative extension office do it.

8. Prepare Compost for Garden

If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to prepare compost for your spring garden. This could include buying a ready-made organic compost from a reliable source, or you could build your own compost.

Create a compost area and put all your organic waste in it. Ensure to add a perfect mixture of grass clippings, woody pruning's, paper, and vegetable peelings. Once it has decomposed, you'll have a lovely, nutrient-rich compost that will help your plants thrive. Add 2 to 3 inches of compost layer directly on top of your raised beds before planting in the spring season.

Read More: 10 Winter Gardening Ideas for a Beautiful Winter Yard

9. Clean and Sharpen Garden Tools

This is one of the most important winter chores. Garden tools are a valuable investment, and regular maintenance is essential. Winter is the time to give your tools some TLC and attend to any tools that need repair or replacement.

Clean and sharpen the blades of pruning shears, loppers, knives, and shovels to ensure optimal performance. A sharp blade improves gardening efficiency and protects plants from injury. In addition,

Lubricate the metal parts of your tools to prevent rusting and extend their lifespan. Another task is to organize your garden shed. Take inventory of your garden tools and accessories and then make a list of items to replace or restock.

Buy high-quality garden tools and accessories at the most affordable prices!

10. Rest Up and Enjoy the Cozy Weather

The final thing to do in winter is to observe your garden, enjoy a hot cup of coffee, and plan for a thriving spring garden. One of the lovely things about winter is that it encourages us to relax a bit more and get comfy. Although you can plant in winter, this slow season is also a time to catch up on some garden reading and recharge your energy for the upcoming growing season. After all, there will be a lot to do when spring arrives, and resting now will give you plenty of energy for spring gardening.

The Bottom Line

Now you can relax, sit back, and cozy up to the fire, knowing that you and your garden are ready for winter and another fantastic spring growing season. Make plans, order seeds, and set up everything now to get ahead of the game. You can start growing the moment the weather warms up, and your soil is ready for planting.

Choose the highest quality raised beds, garden tools, irrigation systems, and row covers to make your gardening experience enjoyable and rewarding.