Friday, January 8, 2010

The Garden in the dead of winter...

What actually can be done in, or for the garden area in thedead of winter? When snow may be covering the ground and hard freezes are hitting many areas of the country?
Believe it or not there are a few things that can be done to prepare for Spring's thaw and a new gardening season,and things that can be done around your yard to make those cold winter days a bit more enjoyable for both yourself and the animals that frequent your yard.
1. Now is the perfect time to assess the garden tools in your shed. Do the tools need sharpened? Use a file to sharpen the edges. Do they need rust removed from them? If they show rust wear, take a piece of fine sandpaper and sand off as much of the rust as you can and spray the tools with w-d 40 and wipe clean. Handles of the tools can be polished with a bit of wood oil.
Are any of the tools in need of being replaced? Now is the time to acquire new garden tools as you just may be able to find them on sale this time of year.

2. Order garden seeds. Get a jump start on ordering your favorite varieties, as many companies may begin to be sold out of your favorites the closer it gets to Spring time and the more folks begin to think gardening also.

3. Help your feathered friends. This is something children can do with you: roll pine cones into peanut butter and bird seed and hang from pretty ribbons in the branches of trees.Also create suet patties and place in feeders.

4. Create a new garden plan. Or garden bed design. Draft out a new garden bed or plan out your garden for Spring. Consider a theme garden.

5. You can start now to build the framing for any raised beds you plan to have.

So, there are a few things that can be done in the dead of winter for the garden.
Enjoy, and stay warm!
~The Victory Gardener!~

5 comments:

  1. We feeding the birds and the deer and rabbits....
    it has been such a harsh winter.

    I have my seedlings on order...

    I am counting the days till spring.

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  2. Great post! We just did a similar post on what you should be doing in your garden during January-- it looks like everyone is getting ready for Spring!

    http://www.alloutdoorpatiofurniture.com/five-january-projects-you-should-be-working-on-in-your-garden/

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  3. I had to remind myself that Spring will return ~ when it starts snowing on December 20th, it is going to be a LONG winter~ TY so much for stopping by my mom's blog ~ Helen's VIntage Wisdom ( # 524 on OWOH )~ I hope that you stop by mine, #327, The Strawberry Mallard ~ you can take a peek at the beets I found in the garden this week!!
    Nancy

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  4. Hi Tina, thank you for your comment at my blog! I'm a gardener, too, and so it surely won't be the last time I visit you here!
    Rabenfrau from Germany

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  5. Hi Tina, Your comment appeared on my e-mail from Sewing with Moonbeans, a favorite blog on mine as I love fiber arts and dolls. We have several things in common. I grew up in Florida and now live in the middle of the state (on the coast). We had a wonderful garden for years, but now have a small vineyard of one acre. Interesting blog~I will visit again.

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