With the winter solstice barely in the rearview mirror, it feels like there’s a long slog until sunny, warm weather spurs that itch to get out and get dirty—in the garden, that is. But the dead of winter is a good time to start considering the next change in season. Consider these spring garden ideas you should be thinking about now.
Design
You undoubtedly noticed some tired places in your flower garden or landscaping at the end of the summer. Make a note of those bare or worn spots and start thinking now about how you’ll spruce them up come spring.
Browsing garden catalogs is a great pastime on a cold or gloomy winter’s day. Dog ear pages that display blooms you’d love to add to your garden. Check that the flowers you choose will thrive in your location by matching your agricultural zone to the zones indicated in the plant’s description. Most catalogs will include a guide where you can identify your hardiness zone, so you’ll know which plants may thrive.
Devoted gardeners start ordering plants very early; some garden centers may already be sold out. Don’t be discouraged; your local nursery can suggest and supply comparable plants when they’re ready for eager gardeners to visit in the spring.
Decor
If you’ve never tried adding some yard decorations to your garden, 2023 may be the year. Don’t worry about being too “cookie cutter.” There are several lesser-known garden decorations you could try to fill in blank spots or add individuality and curb appeal to your front gardens. You can add a sculpture, small fountain, or birdbath to add some variety and interest.
Weed Suppression
When spring has sprung, weeds tend to get the jump on all your other plants, even spring-blooming bulbs. Do some preventative mulching in defense of your garden. As soon as the ground has thawed (or the rains have stopped), add some fresh mulch to keep weeds down and prevent new ones from germinating. Your perennials will grow through it, and you can add annuals by sweeping some aside, digging your hold, planting the plant, then recovering the disturbed ground with mulch.
Seeds
So many took to vegetable gardening during times of pandemic isolation that seed suppliers were caught off guard. Don’t expect interest to wane. Order seeds for your vegetable garden as soon as they become available. Be sure to store them in a cool, dry, waterproof box until you’re ready to start planting. Otherwise, you may be without seeds to grow spring veggies, such as peas, lettuce, or beets, and even summer squash.
Thinking about spring garden ideas amid winter’s gloom can boost your mood and give you a positive and hopeful outlook. Spring will come, so plan now to be ready for it!
