Being that most plants are dormant in the winter months as they store energy for the upcoming growing season, these months are the ideal time to get organized and take care of routine maintenance tasks so that you’re ahead of the game come springtime. In this piece, we’ll provide some monthly tips for what you can do – even in the “off-season”.
November
This is pretty much the last time you have to prepare for the colder weather. Knocking out weeds by hoeing or pulling them makes it harder for them to grow in the the spring months. Plants like perennial flowers and shrubs benefit from bark chips, pine needles, or other natural mulch – usually about two to three inches worth. November is also a great month to put away the tools and equipment that you won’t be needing until spring.
December
Now we get into the slow time of the gardening season. You can still look your area over one more time and pull up any remaining weeds. If your garden didn’t do particularly well the year before, this may be a good chance for you to take the time to take soil sample to the local University Extension Office. You can use the results to make adjustments to your soil or fertilizer next season.
January
For many gardeners, this is where the light at the end of the tunnel starts to appear. This is a great time to start planning for spring. Check your seed inventory and dispose of the outdated ones while ordering what you need. For the garden itself, replace any mulch that has washed or blown away.
February
Almost there! It’s time to start having some fun and begin actual preparation for spring. You can first clean up any damaged branches from trees and shrubs. You can then prepare your soil by adding two to three inches of manure or compost. Items such as sweet and garden peas can be planted when the soil dries. Get that equipment tuned up and clean those tools – your time to shine is just about here!