10 Simple Activities Every Gardener Should Do This Winter

By:
In: Garden, Garden Basics, Garden Crafts, Garden Shed and Decor
Winter is the perfect time to complete these 10 gardening activities.

10 Simple Activities Every Gardener Should Do This Winter

The cold, gray days of winter are upon us. We often have the tendency to stay cocooned in our cozy warm houses when the weather turns cold. But there are simple activities that you should do in your garden this winter to help prepare for spring.

Some of these activities will need to be done outdoors but a few of them can be enjoyed in front of your fire. Begin with the outside activities first and then you can come inside and finish off the list.

So, put on your coat and hat. Wrap a scarf around your neck and pull on your gloves. It’s time for 10 simple garden activities you should do this winter.

To begin your winter activities, take a stroll around your garden and shed. Make note of anything that was left undone last fall when those cold autumn winds began to blow.

10 Simple Garden Activities To Do This Winter…

#1-Clean and Sharpen Your Tools

Garden activities to do this winter include sharpening your tools.

At the end of the gardening season, many gardeners are ready to be done. You picked your final tomato, harvested the last of the flowers and raked your 25th bag of leaves from the yard. The holiday season took over and you walked away from the garden.

The tools were thrown helter-skelter into the shed along with your outdoor furniture. Now is a good time to go back and clean and sharpen your tools to make sure they’re ready for the next gardening season.

How to Clean Your Tools:

  1. Start by scrubbing the dirt off your tools with a sharp-bristle brush.
  2. If your tool is coated with rust, use steel wool to remove it. Use care to not remove a lot of metal which can weaken your tools.
  3. Rinse your tools with water and dry completely.
  4. If your tools have become dull, use a knife-sharpening file or whetstone to add a bit of sharpness to the edges.
  5. Lightly sand any wooden handles to remove rough edges and splinters.
  6. Gently rub on a coat of linseed oil into the wood and the metal parts of your tools. Be sure to rub it in completely and then use a soft rag to wipe the metal clean.
  7. Once the tools have been cleaned and sharpened, be sure to store them properly. You can store them in your shed, keep them in a garden toolbox or arrange them hanging from the garage wall. Just keep them out of the winter elements.
  8. One last tool chore would be to take inventory of what you have and make a note of any tools that will need to be replaced this year.

#2-Keep Your Yard and Garden Free of Debris

Periodically after a good winter storm, you’ll need to clean up the mess. Downed branches, damaged shrubs, and your neighbors’ leaves can accumulate in the garden. So take the time to remove the leaves and branches to reduce damage to your grass and evergreen shrubs.

You can use the leaves to add another insulating layer of mulch to your roses and peonies if needed. Doing this cleanup as you go can reduce the amount of work that will be needed come spring when you want to be prepping your vegetable and flower beds.

If your yard is covered with snow then try to minimize damage to shrubs and evergreens by gently shaking off some of the snow.

#3-Repair Your Fences and Borders

Take a good look at your hardscape for any damage that needs to be repaired. This is the best season to be able to see all of your fences, barriers, and borders when plants die back. You might need to make some minor repairs such as:

  • replace any damaged fence boards
  • repair the hinges on your gates
  • replace rotted boards in your raised beds
  • add in additional support brackets for your arbor
  • remove broken pavers or bricks
  • reattach lattice that has come loose
  • repair damaged garden decor or outdoor seating

#4-Organize Your Garden Shed

Winter is the perfect time to get your garden shed cleaned and organized. The end of the growing season often finds us hurrying to finish our chores and head indoors. So maybe you just piled everything in your shed or a corner of your garage.

Take time now during this down-season to sort and store your garden gear appropriately. After getting your tools, gloves and seeds organized, sweep the floors and clean off the potting bench.

When storing your garden supplies, use creativity to keep everything contained. This is a good time to purchase new storage bins and containers for things like your potting soil, terracotta pots, and garden markers.

Related: How To Organize Your Garden Shed

#5-Decorate Your Porch for the Season

Decorate your porch for the winter season.

Take time for a winter refresh on your porch. Put away any Christmas-themed decorations but add in some winter decor. Use silver and white to make your porch sparkle. Add in plenty of greens either real or faux.

Pull out your winter sports gear such as sleds and ice skates. Add in a rustic lantern. Drape a blanket or two over your chairs and change out your pillows for the season. Although the weather is cold, you can still enjoy porch-time when you need to get some fresh air.

Related: 6 Tips For Decorating Your Porch

#6-Order Seeds and Bulbs

Buying seeds and bulbs is an activity to do in the winter.

Before too late into the new year, you’ll want to order your flower and vegetable seeds. For the best selection, don’t wait too long to order. Otherwise, your favorites might be sold out.

Take an evening to plan what flowers and vegetables you want to grow this year. You can go back through last year’s journal to see what you liked that you want to continue growing. Read through a gardening book or magazine to get new ideas for this year. Or just browse through your favorite seed catalog to see what inspires you.

#7-Shop For New Tools and Supplies

If you didn’t purchase new tools at the end of last season, then start making a list of any new supplies you’ll need for this year. Keep an eye out for pre-season garden sales before spring hits. Many garden stores will try to clear out their old merchandise to make room for the new.

What to look for: garden pots, tools, potting soil, garden gloves, fertilizer, seed starting supplies, and garden decor items.

#8-Educate Yourself on New Garden Ideas and Techniques

Find gardening books to read and educate yourself during the winter months.

Even for experienced gardeners, there’s always something new to learn about gardening. Winter is a perfect time to curl up with a gardening book, magazine or website to brush up on your knowledge.

Focus on areas that you have been struggling with, to learn as much as possible. Going into the new growing season you’ll be prepared to handle the challenge with your new knowledge.

#9-Work on a Garden Craft

The winter months are a perfect time to work on a new garden craft project or two. Use these crafts to decorate your garden shed, porch, and home.

Here are a few craft ideas:

#10-Host a Seed Swap

One garden activity to do this winter is host a seed swap.

When you organized your shed and purchased new seeds, you might have noticed a large supply of “extras”. And if you collect seeds from your own plants you probably have an overabundance of seeds.

Winter is a great time to host a seed swap with your gardening friends. Bake a treat, brew a pot of tea and invite like-minded seed savers over to share in each other’s abundance. This way you can add to your variety of plants and get helpful advice on growing each type of flower or vegetable.

The cold autumn winds have turned into blustery winter days. But there are garden activities that need to be done. Enjoy this cozy season, but make time for these simple garden activities this winter and give yourself a head start on the busy spring to come.