Winter Garden Tasks for Philadelphia-Area Homeowners
As I write this, a strong cold wind blows outside, and most of the trees have lost their leaves. There isn't much work to do outside until spring returns. For some, this is a welcome reprieve from the demands of the growing season. Others may find it a bit lonesome. But fear not, we are here to discuss some gardening tasks to fill up your time during the winter.
Review the Past Season and Plan for the Next
Winter is a great time to think back on the past growing season. What went well, and what didn't? Take notes for future reference. Make a collage of garden photos from last year to share with friends and inspire yourself for the next season. A review of the past growing season naturally leads us to consider what we want to do differently in the next. What new vegetables or gardening techniques will we try? Should we plant a new apple tree, a peach tree, a quince?! Planning the next growing season can be very fun. Perusing seed catalogs, getting excited about new varieties you have yet to try, mentally visualizing a new flower bed in your yard or a couple berry shrubs... Take your time and let your imagination run free, something much harder to do in the heat of the summer, when multiple tasks - weeding, harvesting, pest management - demand our swift attention. Enjoy the process! We can help with any and all design work, whether it's creating a design for an entire property, drafting a planting plan for next season's vegetable garden, or filling in empty spots around people's homes with fruit trees, berries, and beautiful native flowers. Having your design in hand, plan well-formed come spring, will help you begin to implement without much delay when warmer temperatures arrive.
Prune Your Trees and Shrubs
If you have fruit trees, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or the like, you'll want to prune at the end of the winter while the plants are still dormant. Pruning can confer many benefits, such as increased vigor and fruit production and a more aesthetic form. The basic idea is to "open up" the tree to allow more sunlight to infiltrate the middle of the tree, since fruits need to receive sunlight to develop - pruning helps them reach their biggest, brightest, and juiciest potential. Pruning also allows you to shape the tree or shrub to look more even from all angles and it can stimulate new growth. More fruit forms on newer wood, so that new growth has tangible benefits. Pruning raspberries and blackberries helps keep the planting organized and contained by removing dead wood and thinning the canes. We'd be happy to prune your trees and shrubs come February - just reach out and let us know what you need.
If you'd like help pruning your fruit trees and berry bushes this winter, learn more about our garden maintenance service— we'd be happy to come out in February.
Start Vegetable Seedlings
Growing your own vegetable starts from seed is very satisfying, whether you grow them indoors under grow lights, outdoors in a greenhouse, or next to a sunny south-facing window. Although there is an initial upfront cost for necessary infrastructure, seeds, and soil, you can save money over the years, especially if your garden is larger. Many seeds, when stored under proper cool, dry conditions, can remain viable for multiple years, the same seed packets reused season after season. Avoiding peat and plastic in your garden can be another impetus to grow your own vegetable starts. A special tool called a soil blocker creates compact cubes of soil your seeds can grow in that don't require a plastic container. Peat-free seed-starting mixes - such as one from Organic Mechanics, a local soil company - are available for purchase. Finally, the atmosphere in a greenhouse is magical, warm, and pregnant with possibility. February or March are good times to start, and we can help advise on appropriate setups.
The early bird gets the worm, they say. So once you're done resting, recuperating, and rejuvenating, refer to the above tasks to help keep you occupied through the winter months. And do not hesitate to reach out to us for design work, pruning, and consultations.