Some may think gardening activities end once winter arrives, but it is actually the perfect time to start planning and preparing your garden for spring. When all the plants are gone, it’s easy to see the framework of your garden and imagine what it might look like in the coming year.
If you start your garden preparation early, you’ll be ready to execute your plan when spring arrives. Get a head start on your spring gardening to-do list with these tips to help you prepare your garden during the winter season:
Clean and repair your garden tools.
Winter is an ideal time for stripping down tools for sharpening, lubricating, removing rust, replacing broken handles and other repair jobs. Inspect hoses and nozzles for any holes or tears, and don’t forget to check the lawn mower.
Order seeds in advance.
Check out seed catalogs in the winter and begin ordering the ones that interest you. Remember to order seeds early as this ensures that you will get the seeds you want.
Take inventory of gardening materials.
Knowing how much potting soil, mulch, fertilizer and other miscellaneous materials you still have in your garage or shed will help you determine which products you can use from last year and which will need to be replaced.
Mulch.
If you haven’t already done so, consider mulching your garden, especially with crushed leaves. The compost will nourish plants’ roots and help control weeds.
Get to know your soil.
A soil test is one of the best things a gardener can do, and winter is a great time to do it. This will determine if your soil needs a pH or soil acidity adjustment, and now is the time to modify it.
Weed control.
As the weather continues to warm, baby spring weeds will crop up. If left unattended, they will quickly grow come spring gardening season. Use a hoe for quick and easy removal.
Cultivate.
When the ground has thawed and you’re closer to planting, cultivate your garden to aerate the soil and prepare a smooth, loose seedbed. You can tell the soil is ready when a clump of it breaks apart in your hands. If you have a larger garden to prepare, the Troy-Bilt® Super Bronco Garden Tiller is designed for premium soil preparation. With adjustable tilling widths and the ability to till up to 6 inches deep, it cuts through the ground with ease, resulting in finely tilled, well-aerated soil.
