Winter In The Garden 'To-Do List' and What Seeds To Sow Now
With the first day of winter upon us and your autumn crops coming to an end it is time to start planning for the next season.
If you're like me and want to keep active and outside in the garden over the cooler months (with a few extra layers on), there are still plenty of jobs that need to be done and some veggies to be sown.
Here is a list of jobs that can be done around the garden in winter:
- The garden shed needs a full sort out and clean. Clean and sharpen any garden tools as needed.
- Winter pruning. Roses and fruit trees can be cut back to promote growth.
- Attending to the garden paths. Topping up and refreshing the wood chips or gravel.
- Keeping on top of weeds. A good time to do this is after rain when the soil is damp as they will be easier to remove.
- Mulching beds to keep weeds at bay and retain nutrients in the soil, if left bare the nutrients may be washed away with rain.
- Nourishing your soil with compost, blood and bone and manures and allowing it to rest over winter, so that come spring it can give your new seedling all the nutrients they need.
- Keep on top of snails and slugs, as they love to lurk when there is rain. A natural way to to remove these unwanted visitors is to fill a jar half full of beer, and dig it into the soil - leaving about 1cm above the surface. The snails will be attracted to the yeast, fall in and die.
- Frost: if you live in area where frosts are present, you can make sure your seedlings are well established before they begin. You can read more about overwintering flowers here.
- Creating a blanket for your seedlings for overnight protection against frosts will be very beneficial.
- Spring planning, my favourite part is sitting next to the fire with a hot cup of tea, planning what new and exciting flowers and veggies I will sow come 6 weeks prior to Spring. Sitting down with some of my favourite flower books and re-reading them for the 100th time, putting pencil to paper and mapping out how I will fit everything in I want to grow! If you are looking for some inspo and more detailed information on growing a specific variety you can check information on a specific variety you can check out our blog here.
- SEEDS! Seeing what I already have in the seed tin and what else I might need. Ordering your mail order seeds now is a really good idea, beat the spring rush and have them ready to go 4-6 weeks before the last frost starting off in a greenhouse.
- Bulbs: It's also a good time of year to plant bulbs and if you have dahlia tubers still in the ground, its a good idea to lift, divide and store until spring.
Although most of my garden beds are taken up with flowers, I do save one just for veggies for myself and the kids. Some winter veggies I grow down here in Tassie are, leafy greens such as kale and spinach, radish and some broad beans that the kids love to pick!
We have also made a Winter Seed Collection for seeds that can be sown now.
If you haven't already you can check out our Seed Sowing Chart, this will help you decide what can be sown in your climate and help with spring planning.
Happy gardening and stay warm,
Bec
