John Waitkunas serves as a project executive for the construction management, architecture, and engineering firm STV/DPM in Massachusetts, where he handles client and industry relationships with a concentration on the health care and biotech sectors. Outside of his professional obligations, John Waitkunas enjoys gardening.
While many people refrain from gardening in the winter, the season presents a good opportunity to plan for the next year’s garden. Advanced preparation gives you time to acquire necessary tools and materials, and ensures that you can plant seeds and cultivate already-established plants before it’s too late. Here are a few tips for garden planning during winter:
Review the Previous Year
A short review of last year’s garden enables you to evaluate which plants grew well, and helps you to avoid repeating mistakes. If your garden contains multiple blooms or varieties, sketching out current spots for different ones will remind you for next year. Knowing each plant’s location can also improve planning for crop rotation, an important practice for keeping some types healthy.
Decide What to Plant and Research Varieties
Winter is a fitting time to determine what plants you want and plot out the best areas in your garden. It gives you time to research varieties, browse seed catalogs, and decide if you want to grow seeds yourself or purchase sprouts or pre-grown plants from local nurseries. If you choose to plant seeds, you can also order them early.
Consider Starting Seedlings Now
With the right conditions and equipment, you can grow seedlings indoors during the winter and transplant them into the garden in the spring. For many plants, soil and reusable plastic cups with holes poked into the bottoms make sufficient growing pots. Additionally, you can simulate daylight by hanging glow lights above them that switch on and off every 12 hours.
While many people refrain from gardening in the winter, the season presents a good opportunity to plan for the next year’s garden. Advanced preparation gives you time to acquire necessary tools and materials, and ensures that you can plant seeds and cultivate already-established plants before it’s too late. Here are a few tips for garden planning during winter:
Review the Previous Year
A short review of last year’s garden enables you to evaluate which plants grew well, and helps you to avoid repeating mistakes. If your garden contains multiple blooms or varieties, sketching out current spots for different ones will remind you for next year. Knowing each plant’s location can also improve planning for crop rotation, an important practice for keeping some types healthy.
Decide What to Plant and Research Varieties
Winter is a fitting time to determine what plants you want and plot out the best areas in your garden. It gives you time to research varieties, browse seed catalogs, and decide if you want to grow seeds yourself or purchase sprouts or pre-grown plants from local nurseries. If you choose to plant seeds, you can also order them early.
Consider Starting Seedlings Now
With the right conditions and equipment, you can grow seedlings indoors during the winter and transplant them into the garden in the spring. For many plants, soil and reusable plastic cups with holes poked into the bottoms make sufficient growing pots. Additionally, you can simulate daylight by hanging glow lights above them that switch on and off every 12 hours.