Now that the landscape is largely dormant, this is the time to reflect on those gardening aspects that bring you satisfaction and those that need additional work.
If you do not keep a garden journal, now is the time to start one. Resolve to be a better gardener by keeping track of bloom times, harvest times, pests, diseases, and other landscape issues.
For the ornamental gardener, now is a good time to take inventory of your plantings, noting species you currently have and species you want to acquire.
If you’re thinking of adding a hardscape feature, this is a good time for planning one when you can see the “bare bones” of your landscape.
Ornamental Garden
Inspect flower beds periodically for leaves that may have matted down and remove them to minimize the chances of overwintering pests in the beds.
Check for standing water in perennials beds after long periods of rain or snow. Standing water can damage or kill perennials and is a warning sign of a drainage problem that needs to be addressed.
Check beds for plants that have been displaced due to soil heaving. Gently replant, making sure the roots are well covered to protect them from freezing.
If weather permits, remove chickweed, henbit, purple deadnettle, and any other cool-season weeds that have sprouted. However, when weeding in winter, reach into flower beds rather than step into them to avoid compacting the soil.
Monitor houseplants to make sure they have sufficient light and humidity. Give them a quarter turn periodically so that they grow evenly and don’t lean toward the light. To increase humidity, mist plants often or place the plants on a tray of moist pebbles. Avoid overwatering houseplants during the winter months.
Edible Garden
Update your gardening journal on crops that worked well, those that didn’t, and new edible crop varieties that you want to try next year. If you didn’t plant a fall garden, now is the time to plan one.
Make a list of seeds you want for next year’s garden and order early in order to get the best selection.
Make a list of garden supplies that need to be ordered, tools that need to be maintained, and new tools to be purchased.
If you are overwintering crops under row covers, check them daily to make sure the covers are secure.
Mulch berry crops, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries with shredded leaves, straw, or other organic mulch.
Unless soil is too wet to walk on, continue removing cool-season weeds on mild days when it’s comfortable enough to work outdoors.
Lawn
Make sure flower pots, toys, wading pools, bird baths, lawn furniture, and other portable items have been removed from the lawn and stored for the winter. If left on the lawn over the winter months, they can kill the grass beneath them and leave bare spots in the turf. This creates an unsightly spots in the lawn and can leave the are susceptible to weeds and crabgrass come spring.
Avoid walking over the lawn in winter, especially when there’s ice on the grass. Foot traffic can damage the grass blades, rendering them unable to take up water and nutrients.
Service your lawn mower over the winter months to avoid a rush next spring at the repair shop.
