Mid Winter Garden Checklist

The festivities of the December holidays have passed and now the dreary, dark days of winter have settled in. Meals of warm soup and bread, cozy beds layered in woolen blankets and steaming cups of herbal tea are icons of winter. The garden and landscape sleep while we plan, organize and dream of a glorious garden in spring. There is still much to be done this time of year yet the focus is more on observation than actual tasks.

The following list will keep you motivated and focused on preparing for a lovely growing season to come.

1. Walk your landscape and observe the garden structure. This is best done after a snow fall so the "bones" of the garden are visible. Notice the intricate branching of deciduous shrubs. Are there enough evergreens of various textures and height to add visual interest? Take notes of what you like and what areas need improvement in winter interest.

2. Time to tackle your rose bushes with a fairly harsh pruning. Most roses benefit with a cutting back to 1/3 of the plant. Prune away all dead branches as well as crossing branches. This will open up the structure and add good air flow once the leaves emerge. Read more about specific rose pruning techniques here..

   https://extension.umd.edu/resource/guide-pruning-roses/

3. Spray roses, evergreens and fruit trees with a general, 4 season horticultural spray. The spray coats the branches keeping insect eggs from hatching. It also acts as prevention for fungus and insect damage. Spraying evergreens, such as boxwoods, prevents leaf miners and spider mites.

   4. Visit your local libraries that host a seed library. Seed libraries are very common now and patrons can pick out a multitude of free flower, vegetable and herb seeds all for free. I managed a seed library for 3 years and conversations with fellow seed enthusiasts was so enjoyable.

   
   

   5. Time to take down your outdoor holiday lights and wreaths. Consider replacing the evergreen wreath with a simple grapevine wreath and attach lichens and red branches from your landscape. If your missing the glow of twinkling holiday lights consider adding a few solar powered lanterns to the front entrance or along a walkway close to the home.

These 5 "to do" items will definitely get you outside during the bleak winter days. 15 minutes in the brisk air does wonders for clearing the mind and receiving vitamin D from the sun recharges the soul.

4 season horticultural spray