You can garden even in the winter. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t spend time in your garden. Tool maintenance and prepping your landscape for new plantings are two tasks you can tend to now.
Winter has arrived and it’s time to do our winter gardening chores. You’re probably looking for an excuse to get out of the house anyway so why not start on activities that can be done when the weather isn’t perfect.
There are several chores you can do to keep up your garden during the cold months. Tool maintenance is especially important as is prepping your landscape for new plantings.
Tackle tools:
- Drain gasoline from all gas-powered equipment.
- Sharpen mower blades.
- Scrape or brush off debris from hand tools before sharpening and applying a light coat of WD-40 or other oil before putting away.
- Check extension cords for cuts and nicks that expose wiring.
- Sand rough spots on tools with wooden handles and apply a coat of boiled linseed oil.
In the garden:
- Remove grass (it’s dormant right now) from areas where you plan to put bedding.
- Collect seeds from plants that have turned brown. Store them in zipper storage bag labeled with plant name and date of harvest; keep them in the fridge until next year.
Take care of these little chores now and come spring, you — and your tools and garden — will be ready and raring to go!
