Maintaining a garden during the winter months can be difficult for anyone, even if you have a “green thumb.” Depending on where you live, there are a number of things you can do to preserve your winter garden. Here are some tips for each region on how to create a thriving garden and maintain it during the winter months:
If you live in the Southwest:
Keeping your January garden healthy in dry regions of the country like this can be tricky. However, as long as you have a good supply of water there are several things you can do to maintain your garden.
- One thing you can do is prepare for next season. Think about planting seeds for crops such as broccoli, cabbage, onions, peas, and turnips that you can transplant next month. You can also plant asparagus.
- Make sure to water your evergreen plants often if there is not a good amount of rainfall in your area.
- If you are looking to add some color to your garden, you can plant flowers that do well in the cool weather such as pansies, petunias, and violas.
If you live in the Southeast:
Since winters in the southeast region of the United States are mild, you do not need to worry too much about harsh winter weather ruining your garden. Here are some things to do if you are a gardener in the southeast:
- Add some compost to your garden.
- Finish pruning your wisteria if you have some planted in your garden.
- If temperatures drop, use row covers to shelter your plants.
If you live in the Midwest:
Winters in the Midwest are notoriously brutal, so there is not much planting you can do in your garden in January. If you live in this region, your primary focus should be on maintaining and inspecting your garden.
- Remove snow from around your garden to create a path. This way you will have easy access to your garden so you can clear any debris and check for shrubbery damage.
- Check your trees for bark damage, which could be a sign that uninvited creatures like deer and voles are making their way into your yard or garden.
If you live in the Pacific Northwest:
The Pacific Northwest climate generally provides good gardening weather because of its moderate temperatures. Here are some gardening tips for those of you in this region:
- Use row covers to protect plants on cold nights.
- If you want to do some planting, go for vegetables such as asparagus and artichokes.
- Remove dead limbs from trees and complete trimming on your perennials.
If you live in the Northeast:
Much like in the Midwest, there is not much you can do in terms of planting and working in your garden during a northeastern winter. However, here a couple of tips:
- If you live on the coast, you can assess your plants for salt-spray damage.
- Just like in the Midwest, clear paths after a snowfall to ensure you have access to your garden.
Working to maintain your garden during the winter can prove difficult in some places, but you will be happy with the results when spring comes around. If you live in colder regions like the Midwest or the Northeast, you should focus on just maintaining your garden and keeping it healthy. On the other hand, if you live in warmer regions of the country, you can start planting some seeds. Read more winter gardening tips at The Spruce.
While you’re working to maintain your garden this winter, remember that certain tick species might be hiding out around your yard. Ticks often hide in life piles, areas of tall grass, and lawn debris, making it easy for them to invade your garden. Click here to find your local tick control company and prevent these pests from invading your garden.
Source: The Spruce