#winter planning

[diygabl]

Growing success: why late winter is the time to get a jump-start on gardening

Now is the time to get a head start on your garden

If you want your garden to really stand out this year, late winter is the perfect time to take proactive steps for success. Seed catalogs are already being mailed to homes across the province and for many gardeners, especially in the colder regions, it can be very tempting after a long winter to start ordering seeds.

Many gardeners find themselves chomping at the bit during these winter months. The inclement weather makes it nearly impossible to get outside and work in your garden, but your gardening desires aren’t weaning away. We have compiled this list for you. Here are some things that you can do while your plants are dormant, so your garden will be ready to go once spring comes!

The ground may still be cold, but longer days have already begun to coax your plants out of their winter dormancy. It’s undoubtedly early—there’s not a lot of true gardening to do yet—but there are several valuable ways that you can prepare for the busy spring and summer seasons ahead.

1. Assess and Repair

Check your garden for winter damage. Shake off any snow that remains on delicate branches, and clean up any boughs that were broken in storms. Add mulch to areas where your fall application has thinned, and replant any shrubs that were pushed up by frost heave. As you work, try not to walk on muddy areas, as your footsteps will compact the soil.

2. Water

Here’s a fair-weather gardening instruction that is also relevant during the cool weeks of late winter and early spring: On sunny days, give your flower beds a good soaking—warm fronts are on the horizon, after all.

3. Prune

With newly sharpened garden tools, prune all dead or diseased branches, not to mention branches whose appearance contrasts with the prevailing aesthetic of your shrub or tree. Avoid cutting any species that bloom early, such as lilacs or azaleas.

4. Fertilize

Compared to plants growing outdoors, your houseplants will return more quickly. Help their growth by dosing your regular spring fertilizer at half strength.

5. Start Seeds

Not everything needs a head start, but if you’re itching to get back into the garden, why not experiment with early- and slow-growers like peas, lettuce, carrots and leeks? Now is also the time sit down with a seed catalog to select and buy all of the varieties you wish to try this year.

[thunderbird]

Cookin up with StrictlyPump!

[koopa-at-college]

[seascoutsbsa]

The National Boatswain Bearing Episode 2 The next Episode of the National Boatswain Bearing is now available! This month Peter will be talking about how to plan a dynamic winter program.

[creationsincarnate]

((So, so far everyone has a way to play with the holidays, but Snow's canonically in a coma during December and January (her book is still being written so take my word for it)...there is no way to play that...If anyone want's a Christmas or winter themed thing with me, come and plot. We can make after-book threads, or AUs for the time period. Especially since her birthday is the 13th of December.))

[nonpolitico]

I'm just THINKING about what protective styles I want to do this winter and it's making me miss my fro....