Winter Gardening
- Date: 2006-12-04 - Word Count: 515
Share This!
Review last year's journal and start a new one for this year by recording your seed/plant orders Browse through catalogs or spend a little time online searching for the plants you'll be using during the upcoming season. First, however, plan your new garden or update your existing one.
Rework your garden design, think about what was missing in the garden during the previous season. Also, look around, what could make the landscape more interesting during the winter months. Often, a large evergreen serving as an anchor or specimen shrub can improve a winter landscape. Look for shrubs with winter berries, trees which begin budding in late winter or tress and shrubs with interesting form or colorful bark.
Forethought is essential when planning successful garden. After you've decided what you'd like your new garden to offer begin a site analysis. Having a clear understanding of your site's conditions is important it will enable you to make informed decisions regarding design and plant selection. Determine the following factors; climate & micro-climate, sun & shade conditions, wind exposure, soil composition and existing vegetation.
Plant hardiness zone maps divide the country into zones based on the lowest average winter temperature. A plant that is adapted to your hardiness zone is one that can tolerate the lowest winter temperature your zone typically experiences. Find out the zone in which you live and use it as guide during your plant selection process.
Along with the overall climate conditions of your area, micro-climates within your specific site also determine what is appropriate for your garden. A sunny spot against a brick wall with a southern exposure, for example, will be warmer than its surrounding environment, even during the coldest winter days. In a space such as this, plants which are borderline hardy have a better chance at survival than if planted elsewhere in the garden.
Being aware of the sun and shade conditions in your garden is essential garden design and to the long term success of your new plantings. Improperly placed plants are a main reason for unnecessary transplants. Most plants prefer at least some shade during the day.
Getting to know the conditions of your site before you begin planning and planting can be the difference between success and disappointment. Properly planned gardens ensure the time you invest in you garden is worth it, as each properly placed plant thrives.
Aside from reworking your garden design, there are some tasks which will need to be done in the garden during the winter. For instance, Prune your deciduous trees and shrubs in the winter while they are dormant.
Check on your stored bulbs. Check your perennial gardens for heaving, especially in areas prone to repeated freezing and thawing. Recycle your Christmas tree as garden mulch or a bird feeder. Feed the birds and provide them with some unfrozen water. Shake the snow off of your evergreen shrubs after snow storms. Also, sharpen your tools so you'll be ready to get to work when the ground thaws. Though the plants are dormant and snow is on the ground, winter is the ideal time to prepare for a busy gardening season.
Related Tags: gardening, landscaping, garden guides, garden tips
R Birch is the publisher of http://www.gardenlistings.com . For information on all kinds of garden projects visit http://www.gardenlistings.com/Resources.htm
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Decorative Garden Fence Materials
A decorative garden fence is more than just a boundary, it can provide protection for your precious - If You Like Gardening Orreally Would Like To Raise Your Own Vegetables, Gardening Organically Is A Useful Method Safe For Your Family And The Environment
Natural gardening is a key part of sustainability for our Earth and for ourselves. Gardentoad needs - Fresh Herb Gardening Is A Sure Winner For Delicious Meals
Fresh herb gardening is a marvelous way to spice up your cooking bringing a bouquet of tang to your - Contemporary Planters For Outdoor Dining Spaces
Restaurants come in different styles and dining themes: Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Classical, Conte - Where Do You Put Your Greenhouse?
Sighting and orientation are two of the most important decisions you need to make before you pour th - How To Use Orchid Lights
If you are planting orchids indoors, then lights is necessary when there is less light during the se - Experts At Diy Matters Warn Gardeners To Protect Their Plants From Cold Weather
For avid gardeners, the looming cold weather can mean tough times ahead.So, as the new season approa - Have You Noticed These 3 Warning Signs Of An Ineffective Compost Pile?
When it comes to composting, I tend to believe there's a bit of an art to it. Yes, there's plenty of - Flowers May Be One of Nature's Greatest Gifts
The world is changing. Everywhere you look things are more modernized. Every year there is a new typ - Wormery Inventors Expand With New Warehousing Space
(September 30th 2010) Rural Devon based Original Organics Ltd, inventors of the Wormery, grew their
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Pondless Waterfalls: Why Pondless?
Who built the first pondless waterfall? If I had to venture a guess, God did. What exactly is a po - Pondless Waterfalls: Concrete Vs. Pond Liner
The get-rich-quick factor in the pond liner industry has forced up the price of pond liner kits to e - Ponds & Waterfalls: Layout & Excavation
First of all: know what you want. If you need some ideas, visit the library or your local book stor - Koi Pond or Pondless Waterfall: Where Do I Begin?
1.) Have you thought about A Water Feature?-- Is it true that a water feature will add equity to my - Koi Pond: Finding a Contractor - 18 Important Things to Know
Because there is such a wide range of information to be learned on this topic of koi pond and waterf - Koi Pond: Which Pump to Use
When I started in the waterfall and pond design & construction business in January of 1982, I was as - Why You Should Settle for A Frog Fountain
The natural habitat of a frog is usually next to some pond or anywhere there is usually a good suppl - Get Your Garden Cooking With Friable Soil
Oh sure, fried green tomatoes are ok; but I'll take an extra helping of friable soil any day! This - Vegetable Gardening - A Rewarding Hobby
More and more people are taking up vegetable gardening as it is gaining popularity. Vegetable garden - When Miniaturizing Your Bonsai Tree
When miniaturizing the bonsai tree, it is important that know how to prune your tree. The major part