The days are short, the ground is cold, and most vegetable gardens are dormant. But that’s no reason to neglect them. A little prep now can give gardeners a head start on a productive spring. And the best part is, some of the planning can take place while you’re cuddled up with a cup of tea next to the fire.
Design the Landscape
Most yards look bleak this time of year, but their barren state is useful. It offers a perfect blank slate for dreaming and planning for the future. Without the greenery, it’s easier to assess the perfect place for a pond, bench, greenhouse, path, arbor, or other desired garden elements. Winter afternoons are perfect for flipping through gardening books and magazines and creating a project dream list with long- and short-term gardening goals. And as an added bonus, research suggests envisioning greenery may help combat winter blues.
Tips for productive planning sessions:
- If you’re in a new location, it’s best to spend a year watching the landscape before planning changes. Notice the movements of sun, shade, wind, and moisture.
- Think about what will fit your lifestyle best. Is the lawn too labor intensive? Should the veggies and compost be close to the kitchen?
- Create a big vision. Ask a landscape designer or permaculture expert for help, if necessary.
- Consider building the garden around a focal point. A bench, tree, sculpture, pond, or other dynamic feature can jumpstart a design.
- Break projects into small, doable tasks. Big changes often paralyze.
