How can you get the most out of your garden in winter? Well, the answer is by doing some smart winter gardening!
Being the coldest time of the year, winter isn’t known to be a good time for gardening. However, there are still many activities you can do to enjoy your garden more during winter. Mostly, these actvities are aimed at making your garden look more appealing and preparing it for the warmer time of the year again, so that you can grow your own food as early as possible. With winter gardening, you cannot only make your garden look more alive but also turn your agricultural hobby into a year-round activity.
What is Winter Gardening?
Winter gardening primarily involves lanting and harvesting crops during the colder periods of the year. Furthermore, it also includes the preparation of a garden to start growing crops, plants, and flowers as early as possible as well as in the most effective way when temperatures are getting warmer. Finally, winter gardening is all about spening time in your garden while working on either maintaining or preparing it it, or adding some features to it, such as hardscapes. This goes for both indoor as well as outdoor areas.
Top Winter Gardening Tips & Ideas
There are several ways you can continue with your gardening activities during winter. Based on the best gardening books and gardening podcasts, you can find some of the most useful winter gardening tips below, for both outdoor and indoor winter gardening.
Outdoor Winter Gardening Tips & Projects
Have you ever thought about gardening in winter? Probably not, as you might think that it’s too cold for growing plants and improving your garden. Well… Not necessarily… Winter gardening allows you to grow plants and maintain your gardening activities even when temperatures are low!
Here are some tips:
- Protect Flowering Plants – Move pots and other containers near to the house’s foundation or under the eaves, and cover flowering plants with frost cloth or other heat-retentive blankets when temperatures are getting colder. A gardening app can tell you exactly which of your plants need sepcial protection during winter.
- Add Mulch & Compost – Adding mulch will help keep root temperatures stable, which, in turn prevents roots to freeze and plants to die. Also, make sure to add compost with maggots to your plants during winter as it supplies organic nutrients to the soil.
- Feed the Wildlife – Even though many plants lose their leaves in the winter, the garden is nevertheless brimming with life. By placing feeders with seed and suet for birds and dried corncobs for squirrels and chipmunks, you may entice winter wildlife to your home.
- Get a Heated Bird Bath – A great winter activity is watching the wildlife in your backyard. Giving water for our feathered companions to drink and wash is a step beyond simply providing a bird feeder. After that, relax with a hot cup of cocoa and take in the concert.
- Grow Food – You can still eat fresh produce from the garden even if it is winter. A cloche or cold frame may be used to grow cold-weather crops like kale and Swiss chard as well as greens like lettuce, arugula, and mustard. Many root vegetables can overwinter for a spring harvest. For the greatest outcomes, inquire about winter vegetable planting advice in your area at your neighborhood florist or agricultural office.
- Put in New Evergreens – The ideal time to plant shrubs and trees is in the fall, and if you go with evergreens like holly, juniper, pine, cedar, and fir, your garden will benefit all year long, but especially in the winter when color is so scarce.
- Plant Bare Root Plants – Bare root plants have the benefit of staying dormant throughout transportation and installation, and they will have developed roots in the ground before waking up in the spring. That way, they’ll be able to spread their roots more quickly into the warming soil so that they will grow more quickly when temperatures are getting warmer.
- Use Berry Bushes for Color & Food for Animals – When selecting plants and bushes for your landscaping, consider all four seasons. In addition to producing an abundance of colorful berries in your garden throughout the winter, shrubs like winterberry, Nandina domestica, firethorn, and American beautyberry also serve as food sources for birds and other animals, which are lovely to observe.
- Prune Shrubs & Trees – Tree pruning new growth. When you remove struggling or unattractive branches, your tree can dedicate more resources (like water and nutrients) to other parts of the plant. These parts push out regrowth in an effort to balance out the top of your tree with the existing root system.
- Weed Out Invasive Species – It’s simpler to appreciate the structure of your landscaping once the summer rush of blooms has passed and the leaves have fallen. Invasive and unwanted species will be more visible, making them simpler to get rid of. When the new growing season starts, taking the time to complete this task in the winter will pay dividends.
- Build & Add Hardscapes – Winter is the perfect time to adjust your hardscapes, such as paths, walls, fire pits, pergolas & patios. Adding hardscapes during winter has several benefits and it makes your life much easier as you can easily remove plants in order to place hardscapes. In the case of pargolas, plants can start to grow on it straight away when temperatures are getting warmer.
- Add Some Light Elements & Decorate – Don’t overlook sprucing up the yard while decking up your house for the winter. Create wreaths, garlands, or arrangements to decorate entranceways, winter-proof pots, and window boxes using evergreen boughs and berries from your garden or buy them from your neighborhood florist. For even more winter happiness, add sparkling lights or other decorations.
- Maintain Your Pathways – Even in the dead of winter, landscape upkeep is a constant. The off-season is the ideal time to repair or install new walkways. When everything is expanding, it is more difficult to physically reach tasks like replacing damaged bricks or mending edging.
- Stay Up-to-Date – Subscribe to gardening magazines to get insghts and inspiration on the latest trends in winter gardening. They usually come with great tips and tricks to make your garden shine during winter.
Indoor Winter Gardening Tips & Projects
Winter gardening doesn’t have to be limited to outdoor activities. Here are some indoor winter gardening tips:
- Plant Container Gardens – Frost-hardened ground is challenging to plant in. However, you can always put together a lovely container to set on your porch, patio, or yard if you have the planting itch. Winter pots are a fantastic way to plant wintergreen, carex, skimmia ‘rubella’, ajuga, and hardy sedums.
- Start Vertical Farming – Indoor vertical farming is a great way to produce your own food without depending on the weather and outdoor temperatures. And the good thing about vertical farming is that there are no limits as to what you can grow, so it’s a perfect indoor activity during winter.
- Green Up Your Place – Are getting sick of the grey, cold days outside. No problem! Just add more green elements to your interior design and to bring some color into the dark winter months.
- Add Flowers – As long as they aren’t getting too cold, you can enjoy flowers all year round. Of course, the blooming season for roses and other flowers varies, but as long as you have a good amount of flowers there will always be one type that will bloom.
- Pre-Grow Some Bulbs – By bringing some garden bulbs inside throughout the winter, you may jump start the growing season. A cheery burst of spring color in the middle of February will be a welcome sight, whether you grow them in water, potting soil, or gravel. Keep those pre-grown bulbs growing until you can plant them outside when the weather warms. Usually, they will bounce back and finally blossom once again.
- Decorate – If you cannot enjoy your garden during winter, try decorating your house or apartment to bring some life to it.
- Read Gardening Books & Sustainability Books – Winter is the ideal time to stay indoors and conduct study while the weather is gloomy and chilly. For inspiration for the upcoming planting and growing season, work on your reading list for gardening over the winter. Also make sure to read sustainability books, so that your gardening activities contribute to a healthier world.
How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter
Preparing your garden for winter is an important part of winter gardening. By taking a few simple steps, you can help your garden survive the harsh winter months and be ready for new growth in the spring. Here’s what you need to do:
Clean up the garden: Remove dead leaves, stems, and spent flowers from perennials, shrubs, and trees. This will prevent overwintering pests and diseases from establishing themselves in the garden and is an important step in winter gardening.
Protect delicate plants: Cover frost-sensitive plants, such as roses and citrus, with burlap or frost blankets to protect them from the cold. This is a crucial aspect of winter gardening for those with delicate plants.
Mulch: Add a layer of mulch, such as leaves, straw or wood chips, around the base of your plants to insulate the roots and help retain moisture in the soil. This is a common practice in winter gardening for insulation and moisture retention.
Prune: Prune shrubs and trees to encourage healthy new growth in the spring. Cut back dead or diseased wood, and shape the plants to the desired form. This is a regular winter gardening task to promote healthy growth in the future.
Irrigate: Water your plants thoroughly before the ground freezes to help them survive the winter months. This will also reduce the amount of soil heaving caused by repeated freezing and thawing of the soil. Winter gardening often involves proper irrigation before the ground freezes.
Cover your soil: Cover bare soil with a layer of leaves or straw to help prevent erosion and conserve moisture. This is another essential aspect of winter gardening to conserve soil and moisture.
Winterize your tools: Clean and sharpen your garden tools and store them in a dry place to protect them from rust and decay. Proper winter gardening also involves winterizing your tools for future use.
By following these winter gardening steps, you can help your garden survive the winter and be ready for new growth in the spring.
How to Get More of Your Garden in Winter
By incorporating these winter gardening techniques, you can get more out of your garden in winter and enjoy the beauty and bounty of your garden all year round.
1. Plant winter vegetables
Plant hardy vegetables such as kale, carrots, and turnips, which will continue to grow in the winter months. This is a great way to extend your gardening season and get more out of your garden in winter.
2. Create winter interest
Add winter-flowering shrubs and evergreens, like witch hazel and holly, to your garden to provide color and interest during the winter months. This is a common technique in winter gardening to create visual interest in the garden.
3. Add lighting
Light up your garden with lanterns, solar lights, or string lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the winter. This is a simple but effective way to get more out of your garden in winter through winter gardening.
4. Grow indoor herbs
Start an indoor herb garden with herbs like thyme, basil, and parsley, which can be grown indoors in pots. This is a great way to get fresh herbs all year round and add to your winter gardening experience.
5. Build a greenhouse
If you’re really committed to winter gardening, consider building a greenhouse. This will give you a warm and protected environment to grow a variety of plants, including tropical and subtropical plants that wouldn’t normally survive in your area.
What to Grow in Your Garden in Winter?
Just because temperatures are falling that doesn’t mean you have to stop gardening! Actually, winter gardening is a great way to spend some quality time outdoor, while growing your own food or making your garden look pretty.
The following are crops, vegetables & flowers you can grow in winter (though, none of the crops or vegetables will survive when temperatures fall below 32°F (or 0°C)).
Crops to Grow in Winter
- Winter herbs such as sage, thyme, oregano, chamomile, mint, lavender, basil, chives, rosemary, bay leaf, and tarragon
- Leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, arugula, asian greens, chard kale, mache, claytonia, collard greens, mustard greens, parsley, and chinese cabbage
Vegetables to Grow in Winter
- Root vegetables such as potatoes, beets, carrots, onions, turnips, garlic, leeks, radish, parsnips, rutabagas, and ornamental cabbages
- Hardy vegetables such as broccoli, peas, asparagus, celery, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi
Flowers to Grow in Winter
Flowers, and especially roses, usually bloom in spring & summer only, but the following are examples of flowers that bloom in winter:
- Violas
- Camelia
- Crocuses
- Winter Hardy Roses
- Snow Drops
- Primroses
- Dogwood Flowers
- Heather
- Hellebore
- Winter-Flowering Irises
Other Plants to Grow in Winter
The majority of winter-resistant and cold-tolerant plants are shrubs and trees. Although some people might disagree, the best time to plant trees and shrubs is during the cold season.
This will give them enough time to settle down and endure the summer’s heat.
- Holly
- Red Twig Dogwood
- Firethorn
- Corkscrew Hazel
- Grevillea Victoriae
- Agave
- Sarcococca Confusa
- Skimmia Japonica
- Mahonia
- Daphne
- Juniper
- Poinsettia
- Cyclamen
Winter Gardening Jobs
By pursuing a career in winter gardening, you can turn your passion for winter gardening into a fulfilling and rewarding profession. Whether you focus on maintenance and care, design and installation, education, or sales, there are many opportunities to make a difference in the world of winter gardening. The following are some examples for winter gardening jobs:
1. Winter gardening specialist
A winter gardening specialist focuses on the maintenance and care of gardens during the winter months. They help garden owners prepare their gardens for winter, provide winter garden design and planning, and offer winter-specific gardening services such as frost protection, winter pruning, and winter watering. This is a great career for those interested in winter gardening and want to make it their specialty.
2. Winter landscaping professional
A winter landscaping professional designs and installs landscapes that are attractive and functional during the winter months. They may also specialize in winter-specific elements such as snow and ice management, winter lighting, and winter-blooming plants. This is a great career for those who love winter gardening and want to make it a part of their landscaping business.
3. Greenhouse manager
A greenhouse manager is responsible for the maintenance and care of plants in a greenhouse environment. This includes watering, pruning, and pest control, as well as monitoring temperature and light levels to ensure optimal growing conditions. This is a great career for those who are passionate about winter gardening and want to work with a variety of plants all year round.
4. Winter gardening educator
A winter garden educator teaches others about the benefits and techniques of winter gardening. They may offer classes, workshops, and tours, and may also write articles and books on winter gardening. This is a great career for those who love winter gardening and want to share their knowledge with others.
5. Winter garden product & supply salesperson
A winter garden product and supply salesperson sells winter gardening supplies, equipment, and products to gardeners, landscapers, and greenhouse managers. This is a great career for those who are knowledgeable about winter gardening and want to help others with their winter gardening needs.
