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Guest Post and Images by Belle.

During the winter season, gardening can be difficult because plants need extra care to keep growing. You need to consider these factors in order to have good gardening during winter: the bleak and monotone garden, what kind of plant to grow, the tenderness of the plants, and the rapidly dropping temperatures.

There are many things to take note of when it comes to gardening during winter. Here are some gardening tips to follow during the winter season:

  • Choose what kind of plant/s you want to grow. Choose plants that will grow well in cold weather. Check the tenderness of the plants. It may or may not be frost resistant.
  • Buy the seeds or plants. Buying a plant is easier, but it is more expensive than using seeds.
  • Choose a place where you will plant. Choose a place where the plants will receive sunlight, warmth and shelter during winter.
  • Decide where and how the plants will be placed in the garden. Most plants grow well if they are in rows, but they will need to be spaced out. Make signs to place in front of each row.
  • Loosen the soil. Plants need to be able to grow and develop their roots in order to stay healthy, but if the soil is too hard or rocky, they’ll have difficulty in their growth.
  • Plant the seeds from early mid-summer to early fall. Plant the seeds at the right depth. Some plants like to be closer to the surface while others grow better deeper underground.
  • Use mulch. It can insulate the soil and it helps prevent frost. You can use wood chips, leaves or compost. It should be several inches thick.
  • Maintain your garden. Water your plants every day. Remove weeds and kill any harmful bugs.
  • Use a cloth or soft blanket to protect the plants from the cold winter weather. Plants need extra care during winter where the temperature drops to a freezing point. An alternative is to bring the plants indoor.

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  • Build a cold frame or greenhouse. Make sure the plants in your greenhouse or cold frame receive adequate ventilation. If daytime temperatures are warm, open up to allow air to circulate.
  • Insulation works both ways. It can prevent the soil from cooling off too quickly, but it can also prevent it from warming up promptly when the time comes.
  • Water the plants. To protect the plants against frost, watering it can help retain some of the day’s heat into the night.

What can be planted during the winter?

Here are some of the plants and flowers that are great for planting during the winter season:

  • Camellias

With shades from pale pink to brilliant red, these can be the main actors in your garden. Just make sure to mulch them well during winter.

  • Evergreen Holly

The red berries and green leaves remind us of the holiday spirit that we should carry during winter.

  • Snowdrops

This little plant will survive an extended period of snow making it a great selection during the cold season.

  • Hellebores

These European evergreen perennials are early bloomers that need little maintenance. Did you know that there is a kind of hellebore that’s called the christmas rose (helleborus niger)? Having been given that name this it surely is a great flower for winter.

How to deal with all that snow:

Shake excess snow from trees, remove heavy deposits of snow from greenhouse roofs, use string to support branches and avoid walking on snow-covered grass.

Winter Garden Maintenance

In order to have a good winter garden maintenance, you must check your garden regularly to prevent it from damage. Have a Winter Garden Clean-up to see if there are damaged plants that need recovery.

Clean and Store your Garden tools for Maintenance

Here’s all you’ll need to take care of your garden tools:

  • Work gloves and safety goggles
  • A bastard file(8 or 10 inches)
  • Wire brush
  • Cloths or rags
  • Linseed oil or water replacement lubricant
  • Drop cloths or newspapers

Inadequate maintenance will prevent these tools from doing their job properly or cause them to wear down and break. Maintain your gardening tools by preventing moisture and follow these simple tips:

  • Clean your tools after each use
  • Store your tools off the ground and in a dry place
  • Remove any rust that forms on a tool
  • Keep wooden handles smooth by sanding and oiling them
  • Keep cutting edges sharp
  • Before putting them away for the winter clean them well and give them a coating of oil.

Other Gardening methods include: Raised Bed Garden, Container gardening and Indoor gardening.

Gardening during winter can be easy to do if you take the time to set up your own set of guidelines and strictly adhere to them. The key to maintaining a beautiful garden even in winter season is to monitor for any temperature changes and adapt to it. With ample time and care, the plants can be easily protected from any damage giving you a garden that is sure to keep you warm and fuzzy during the cold winter nights. Happy gardening!

About the Author

Belle is a blog editor at Flowers and Chocos. She loves gardening, doing handicrafts and taking pictures of the beautiful environs. She loves to give flowers for her loved ones, both near and far.

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