Gardening during the Winter Season

Winter isn’t a time that most people associate with gardening. The warm weather is long gone, but you can still have fresh food and plants even in the chilly seasons. While not everyone will want to try their hand at growing in the colder months, there is still lots to do to ensure a vibrant garden when the spring rolls around.

Grow baby, grow…

There are many greens that can be grown in a cloche or cold frame throughout the winter. Lettuce, arugula, mustard as well as kale and swiss chard will do just fine. Many root crops will “overwinter” for a spring harvest.

Take a good look through the snow…

You may not know it, but winter blooming plants are a thing! Take a good look at your garden for any colour popping up to lift your spirits (or plan ahead in the spring with plants that will delight you all winter long next year). Shrubs such as winter hazel, witch hazel, and honeysuckles are great options with fun colours. There are also early bulbs that can peek up through a shallow cover of snow as the months progress to give you hope that spring is around the corner.

Don’t forget your feathered friends…

With less plant life around, consider nurturing the neighbourhood birds so they will make your yard home year-round. Place nesting houses in your garden by February if you would like to increase your bird population. The size of hole in the house you put out will directly affect the birds who flock to you, so keep that in mind and do a bit of research. Make sure to offer a steady source of food and water and you will make feathered friends for life.

Use this time wisely…

’Tis the time for New Year’s resolutions…so why not add perking up your garden to that list. Take this time to think about your outdoor space. What do you like? What changes would you like to make? Is there any big project you would like to tackle in the coming year, or any fun features you would like to add (think gazebo, fire pit, water feature)?

At Dragonfly Landscape Supply, we can help with any project, BIG or SMALL. Let’s work together to help bring your vision to life. It’s a new year with new opportunities for your garden in the spring. Starting to plan now will make all the difference in what you get done when the warmer weather rolls around.