When the weather outside is frightful, break out your gardening tools and your creativity
Even when the sun still sets before 5 p.m., you're allowed to daydream about spring and all the get-your-hands-dirty projects that come with it. Winter can feel like a time devoid of outdoor projects, especially after spending several weeks winterizing your lawn, garden, and patio.
In reality, winter is the ideal opportunity for the driven DIYer to prune, plan, and even tackle some outdoor projects that you won't have time for once the grass starts growing.
Some trees and perennial shrubs benefit from dormant pruning—or pruning outside of its growing season.
Start by contacting tree care experts for winter tips about your specific tree species. They may recommend crown reduction, dead wooding, and necessary structural changes before harsh weather comes through. Not all pruning projects are safe—either for you or the tree—without professional guidance, so chatting with a pro is a great place to start.
Shrubs like butterfly bushes, azaleas, hydrangea, and many more may grow fuller when properly pruned in the weeks leading up to the growing season. Again, the type of pruning varies from plant to plant, so consult a local landscaping pro before breaking out the clippers.
The most common type of rock salt—aka sodium chloride—can do a real number on your lawn, garden, and even some patio materials. Set yourself up for an easier spring by spending a bit more on a bag of calcium chloride. This option is less corrosive, and therefore less likely to leave that line of yellow grass alongside your driveway.
Winter is one of the least-hectic times for landscape designers and outdoor contractors. If you're looking to snag a good deal on fence installation, winter may be the time to do it. For one, you won't have to fight for the contractor's time as much as you do in the warmer months. You also have plenty of time to replant the area you've dug up around the fence for installation as soon as the spring arrives.
Winter is the time for a great brainstorm. Grab a hot cup of coffee and get cracking on the upcoming year's gardening goals, budget, and landscape to-do list.
Once you look at your grand plan, it's time to consider if you need to hire a landscaper. With the growing number of home DIY projects, locking in your contractors in the winter—or at least scoping out your top picks—can help you get ahead of the late-spring rush.
Map out your landscape with a visual representation, making a note of your sprinkler system, hardscape elements, and new areas you're looking to revamp.
While you're focusing on the best blooms and lush lawn tips, go a step further and reimagine what the stone elements of your backyard can bring to your life.
Did you know you can install a fire pit in winter? As long as the weather conditions remain relatively dry, you can add a marshmallow-roasting, wine-toasting, and book-reading haven that's equipped for the chilly months ahead.
Also, take this time to also research new materials for patios, poolscapes, and your driveway. There are many types of pavers to choose from, so iron out your budget before things get too busy.
Speaking of hardscapes, how's your current one holding up in the ice and snow? Between snowfalls, note any cracks, uneven stones, or faded coloring. Add this to your hardscape plan for the spring and lock in a hardscape repair team before the issue worsens.
You have a plan in hand, and you're ready to fill up your literal or online shopping cart. Make sure you have everything you need for the spring season several weeks ahead of time. You may be able to get some off-season or start-of-the-season sales that won't stick around during prime planting season.
Your winter gardening list may include:
Topsoil
Fertilizer
Seeds and seedlings
Pre-emergent weed control
Lawn antifungal treatments
Replacement gardening tools
Gloves, gardening stools, and protective sunwear
Everything from your gardening shears to your lawnmower blades becomes worn down after a long season. Bring your weathered tools to a local gardening center or lawn mower repair location for sharpening.
Be sure all of your electric lawn care items, including your mower, weed wacker, and—if you're fancy—your power thatcher, have been winterized and properly stored for the winter. If necessary, order new gas and oil for the spring, too.
When you're six to eight weeks out from the last frost, there's no need to wait any longer to get your hands in the dirt. Several vegetable seedlings, such as tomatoes, brussels sprouts, and broccoli, love starting indoors from seedlings. This method gives your veggies a head start through their seedling phase without the threat of frost or pests.
If you're planning to grow a tree or large perennial shrub from roots, order plants in the winter to arrive just at the start of spring. Bare roots are easier to ship, find online, and literally care for from the ground up. However, every plant has a schedule based on your hardiness zone, so follow instructions carefully.
When bare roots arrive a bit too early for planting, follow the included guide on how to keep the roots moist and happy until it's time to hit the soil.
Sprinkler systems have a habit of becoming damaged in the tough winter months. Even if you winterize your sprinkler system, small amounts of leftover water can crack the lines, or rogue tree branches can damage sprinkler heads. Take this time to also care for your sprinkler spigot and gardening hose.
No other time of year are you quite as aware of the power of great outdoor lighting. As you climb up on the ladder to (carefully!) take down your holiday lights, keep an eye out for broken bulbs, switches, or sensors. Outside of switching a bulb, it's always best to let a local electrician handle outdoor lighting repairs for both their complexity and potential safety threats.
Winter composting is all about keeping the pile from freezing. The University of New Hampshire recommends insulating your pile or bin with hay bales or leaves and cutting down your compost turning schedule to keep in the heat. Be sure to harvest any completed compost before the winter begins so you can start fresh and allow new items to break down during the slow winter months.
