Start your spring gardening projects today!
Test the Germination of Seeds
If you’re anything like me, you keep your unused seeds stored for years to come! And why not? More often than not, the seeds are still viable and healthy. However, in some cases the seeds die before they’ve even sprouted. To avoid a gardening catastrophe (seriously, it’s such a bummer to discover that only a few of your pepper plants have sprouted!) test the germination of the seeds in the winter time. The Survival Mom shows you how.
Trim any Dead Foliage
Spend some time in late fall to care for your plants. Trim any diseased or dead branches. Come winter, check the area in and around your garden for any misplaced roots (if you have trees) or concrete cracks due to plant rooting. The winter is the best season to tackle these issues!
Order Seed Catalogues
Who doesn’t love shopping? Especially when it’s for something as fun as gardening. Set aside a few weeks this January (preferably when it’s miserable outside, this is the prime pick-me-up) to order your seed catalogues. It’ll brighten your day when they arrive!
Pick Your Veggies
However, prior to ordering your catalogues it’s cruical to pick out the types of veggies that you want to grow. It’s important to ask yourself these few questions: “How well did this grow last year?”, “what was the yield of the vegetables?”, and finally, “did my family eat this?” Asking yourself questions like these will help avoid having too many of a certain vegetable variety.
Map Out your Garden
After you’ve picked and ordered your vegetables, it’s important to map out your planting area. Consider the vegetable size, sunlight and watering needs, and the yield of the veggies when planning. TIP: I always draw out my gardening plans like the picture below. It’s fun to illustrate AND you have a super clear idea of what your garden will look like next fall!
Check Your Grow Zone
Have I mentioned how important the grow zone is to your garden growth? No? Well it’s super important. Make sure you’re familiar with the grow zone in your area prior to planting. You can determine yours here!
Start Veggies from Old Kitchen Scraps
Who knew that you could grow an entire garden out of your kitchen scraps? Use asparagus clippings, avocado pits, and even the top of a pineapple to sprout your own vegetables. These require a lot of moisture, and tons of sun, but they’re super easy to transplant to your outdoor garden in the Spring.
Decide if You Want to Use Cold Frames
While we are thinking super ahead on this one, it’s important to decide if you want to include cold frames (or something similar) in your garden next year. Cold frames are a great way to extend your growing season in regions where the grow zone isn’t as long. Check out this article for more information!
Start A Herb Garden Indoors
Indoor gardening is the perfect way to bust the winter time blues! Create one in your home using old terra cotta pots, mason jars, or an old tea set! Here’s a link to my favorite DIY Herb Gardening article from
Take Note of The Weather
Take note of the weather throughout January and February! If it’s a more mild winter, your plants (both indoors and out) probably won’t need any extra care. However, if it’s chilly, you may find that your annual plants need more protection!
Notice The Areas Of The Garden Where Snow Melts First
Taking a look at where the snow melts soonest gives you a good idea of which areas in your yard receive more sun and shade. This will help you plan for the vegetables that require more sunlight!
Pick Your Perennials
AH! At last! My favorite gardening project of the year! Towards the end of February is probably a good time to begin picking out which perennials you hope to plant this year.
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