Once the final leaf has fallen and the outlook of snow becomes increasingly likely, it’s easy to think that the gardening year is done. But, whilst it’s true that your perennials will now be sitting snugly under the ground until spring comes through, it doesn’t mean that your work is done!
Below, we’ve listed our top 5 winter gardening ideas. Each of these will keep your garden looking in good shape throughout winter itself, and help you prepare for a dazzling display of color next year.
1. Garden Planning
Right now, when most of your garden and flowerbeds have been stripped back to the bare bones by fall, is a great time to start planning a revamp. Picture what you’d like your garden to look like next spring and summer in your mind’s eye. Do you have existing plants that you’d like to move to another area? Or perhaps you’ve been thinking about building some raised vegetable beds?
Settle yourself down somewhere warm and comfortable and start drawing your plan out on paper. This will help when the time comes to start transforming your space next year.
2. Winter Containers
The cold, wet weather doesn’t have to prevent you from gardening altogether. And, whilst the ground might be frozen solid, you’ve still got the opportunity to create some dazzling winter displays and add much-needed color to an otherwise dreary backdrop by using containers.
Nurseries will be stocking evergreens and winter-flowering plants at this time of year, and a mixture of these will add structure and vibrancy to your containers. Plants such as Christmas Rose, Pansies, and Cyclamen are all at their best in the coldest months of the year.
Fill up your pots with good quality compost or some worm castings and play around with shapes and textures. These will look stunning around your front door as you welcome guests into your home over the holiday season too.
3. Feed The Birds
You may have noticed an absence of birdsong in your garden since the summer birds have migrated somewhere a little warmer to spend the winter. However, there are still some native birds that overwinter in our gardens and need a little help to get by.
Food is scarce for birds over the colder months, so help your feathered friends out a little by filling up your feeders and bird tables with fatty treats such as peanuts and sunflower seeds. They’ll reward you in spring and will likely nest in your garden, having come to regard it as a safe haven that’s rich in food.
4. Indoor Herb Garden
It’s really easy to get a constant supply of herbs throughout the winter, and you won’t even have to step foot into the cold to do so! Simply fill some pots with compost, sow some herb seeds and place them on a well-lit windowsill.
You’ll likely need a few different herbs for the amount of holiday cooking you’ll be undertaking. Not to mention, some herbs such as peppermint and basil, have amazing immune-boosting properties and are ideal for protecting yourself against winter flu.
5. Don’t Forget Your Houseplants
Finally, now is a great time to give your houseplants a little bit of attention. Unlike your garden plants, your houseplants won’t die back over winter and can be repotted into larger pots where their roots can stretch out further and they can grow even bigger.
They’ll need less water in the winter, however, since the sunlight they’re used to basking in won’t be nearly as strong. It’s a good idea to mist the leaves once a week to increase their humidity, however, since the air inside your home will be drier from your heating system.
Final Word
Winter gardening can be just as rewarding, and equally as fun, as gardening throughout the rest of the year. It can also be a nice time to sit back, relax, and enjoy doing less garden maintenance for a while.
Take the opportunity to plan, create, and enjoy gardening indoors for a change. The season will soon pass and, before you know it, your garden will be full of color once again.
Article by Nikki Rollins from Simple Grow Soil
