Winter Garden Prep: The Smart Way to Set Yourself Up for a Thriving Spring
In case you didn’t know, winter is prime time for planning a low‑stress spring garden. While the soil rests and everything slows down, you get the perfect window to make a few small, intentional moves that will set you up beautifully once the weather warms. Here are five things I’m tackling in January, February, and March to prep for my spring garden — and you’ll want to jump in on these too.
1. Clean Up & Protect Your Beds
Remove lingering weeds so they don’t get a head start in spring. I also added 2–3 inches of good‑quality compost to help insulate the perennials and garlic bulbs already in the bed and give the soil a nutrient boost for the season ahead.
2.
Sharpen, Clean & Organize Your Tools
Winter is the perfect time to sharpen pruners, shears, and mower blades so they’re ready for action when spring hits. You don’t need fancy cleaning products - good ole’ fashioned steel wool and mineral oil always does the trick for my tools.
3. Protect Perennials, Trees & Shrubs
In colder regions (Zone 7 and below), many perennials — like this Greek oregano — appreciate a little extra protection through winter. A light layer of mulch can help insulate the roots and keep the plant steady through temperature swings. If you have more vulnerable plants, consider adding a plant cover or burlap, and give everything a quick check after winter storms to catch any damage early.
4. Plan Your Spring Garden!
Start with a simple sketch — whether your doing raised beds, pots, or in-ground plants, it all begins with a visual.
Snap a photo from above — a second-floor window gives you the perfect bird’s-eye view. Print a few copies and use them as templates to doodle and map out ideas.
Only plan to grow what you will eat — It’s fun to experiment but overplanting can lead to waste.
Consider your plant hardiness zone — if a plant is rated for Zones 5–9 and you’re in Zone 7a like me, it should handle your coldest nights and thrive in your garden.
5. Shop For Spring Plants & Seeds
When planting season rolls around in late May or early June, you’ve got two solid choices: start from seed or pick up plant plugs. Seeds give you the full “from scratch” experience, while plugs are those small, ready‑to‑grow baby plants you’ll find at the nursery, often sold in trays of four. Both approaches can lead to a healthy, thriving garden — it really comes down to your comfort level, your style, and how much time you want to invest.
