Winter Gardening Guide
Rest, plan, and prepare for your best gardening year yet
Winter at a Glance
Month-by-Month Winter Tasks
December
- Review garden journal from the past year
- Research new varieties you want to try
- Finish cleaning and storing tools
- Check stored vegetables (squash, potatoes, garlic)
- Start microgreens for holiday cooking
January
- Order seeds early (best selection)
- Create garden layout and planting schedule
- Inventory seed starting supplies
- Check for garden infrastructure repairs needed
- Start onion seeds indoors (10-12 weeks early)
February
- Start slow-growing seeds: peppers, eggplant, leeks
- Set up seed starting station with lights
- Prune dormant fruit trees (late Feb)
- Apply dormant oil spray if needed
- Check soil test results and plan amendments
Garden Planning
Winter is prime planning time. Good planning prevents problems and maximizes your harvest. Focus on these key areas:
Layout Planning
- • Sketch your garden to scale
- • Note sun patterns (changes seasonally)
- • Plan crop rotation from last year
- • Group plants by water needs
- • Plan paths for easy access
Timing Planning
- • Know your last frost date
- • Count back for seed starting
- • Plan succession plantings
- • Schedule fall crop plantings
- • Note harvest windows
Seed Ordering Tips
Order Early
- • January has best selection
- • Popular varieties sell out fast
- • Avoid February rush
- • More time to plan if something's out
What to Look For
- • Disease resistance codes
- • Days to maturity for your season
- • Suited to your climate
- • Reviews from similar growing zones
Seed Math
Don't buy more than you need. Most seed packets contain far more than one family needs:
- • Tomatoes: 1 packet = 20-30 plants (most families need 4-8)
- • Peppers: 1 packet = 15-25 plants (most families need 2-6)
- • Lettuce: Buy more - succession plant every 2-3 weeks
- • Consider seed swaps with friends for variety
Indoor Growing Projects
MicrogreensEasiest
Baby vegetables harvested at 1-2 weeks. Packed with nutrients, ready in days. Grow on a windowsill or under lights.
- • Best varieties: sunflower, pea shoots, radish, broccoli
- • Use shallow trays with 1" of potting mix
- • Harvest when first true leaves appear (7-14 days)
- • No fertilizer needed - seeds have stored energy
Sprouts
Even simpler than microgreens - no soil needed. Grown in jars, ready in 3-5 days.
- • Best varieties: alfalfa, mung bean, lentils
- • Use mason jar with mesh lid
- • Rinse 2-3 times daily
- • Keep in indirect light
Windowsill Herbs
Fresh herbs all winter - but they need adequate light (south window or grow lights).
- • Easiest: chives, parsley, mint (from existing plants)
- • From seed: basil needs warmth and light
- • Regrow from scraps: scallions, lettuce bases
- • Most herbs need 6+ hours light daily
Seed Starting Setup
If you'll start seeds indoors, get your setup ready now:
- • Lights: LED shop lights work great and are cheap. Position 2-3" above seedlings
- • Heat mats: Essential for peppers and tomatoes - they need 70-80F to germinate
- • Trays and cells: Clean reusable trays or buy new cell packs
- • Sterile mix: Use seed starting mix, not garden soil
- • Timer: Seedlings need 14-16 hours of light per day
Winter Tool Maintenance
Sharp, clean tools make spring work easier. Spend a winter afternoon on maintenance:
Cutting Tools
- • Sharpen pruners, loppers, hoe blades
- • Clean with rubbing alcohol
- • Oil pivot points and springs
- • Replace worn parts now
Digging Tools
- • Remove rust with wire brush
- • Sharpen shovel and spade edges
- • Sand wooden handles smooth
- • Apply linseed oil to handles
Pro tip: Store tools blade-down in a bucket of sand mixed with oil. Keeps them rust-free and sharp edges protected.
Outdoor Winter Tasks
Pruning
- • Prune fruit trees in late winter
- • Remove dead, damaged, crossing branches
- • Prune grapes in late winter
- • Don't prune spring-flowering shrubs
Garden Infrastructure
- • Build or repair raised beds
- • Fix broken trellises and fences
- • Check cold frames for damage
- • Plan new bed locations
Monitoring
- • Check mulch depth, replenish if low
- • Monitor for animal damage
- • Harvest from cold frames
- • Check garlic for heaving
Protection
- • Protect tree trunks from rodents
- • Brush heavy snow off shrubs
- • Keep cold frame vented on warm days
- • Apply dormant spray to fruit trees
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I grow indoors during winter?
Microgreens and sprouts are the most productive indoor crops - ready in 1-2 weeks with just a sunny window. Herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro grow well with supplemental light. Lettuce and greens can grow indoors with grow lights. Scallions regrow from cuttings in water.
When should I order seeds for spring?
Order in January for best selection, especially for popular heirloom varieties that sell out quickly. Seed companies get overwhelmed in February-March. This also gives you time to compare varieties and plan your garden layout before planting season arrives.
How do I store seeds over winter?
Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark place - ideally 35-40F with low humidity. An airtight container in the refrigerator works well. Most vegetable seeds stay viable 2-4 years when stored properly. Add silica gel packets to absorb moisture.
Is there anything I can do outside in winter?
Yes! Prune dormant fruit trees (late winter). Check mulch depth and add more if needed. Build raised beds when ground is frozen. Monitor for animal damage. Harvest winter crops from cold frames. Apply dormant oil spray to fruit trees.