Winter is the perfect time to reflect on last year’s successes (and failures—looking at you, tomatoes that refused to ripen). Use this time to plan smarter, grow better, and make next year’s garden your best yet!
📖 Start a Garden Journal – Jot down what worked last year, what didn’t, and any ideas you have for new crops, companion planting, or layout changes.
🌱 Sketch Your Garden Layout – Graph paper, online planners, or even a good old napkin sketch can help visualize your garden’s next masterpiece.
📦 Sort and Inventory Seeds – Check expiration dates, organize by planting time, and make a list of what you need to order.
🛒 Browse Seed Catalogs – Nothing cures the winter blues like flipping through pages of vibrant produce and dreaming of harvests to come.
2. Get Your Hands Dirty (Indoors!)
Just because the ground outside is frozen doesn’t mean you have to stop growing!
🌿 Grow Microgreens & Herbs Indoors – A sunny windowsill is all you need for fresh basil, cilantro, or microgreens to keep your gardening instincts sharp.
🪴 Repot Houseplants – Give your indoor jungle a refresh by repotting and pruning any houseplants in need of some TLC.
🍄 Try Growing Mushrooms – If you’re feeling adventurous, a mushroom-growing kit can provide homegrown food without a garden bed in sight.
3. Tackle Garden Projects You’ll Thank Yourself for Later
Now is the time to do all those things that seem impossible once the growing season is in full swing.
🛠 Build or Repair Raised Beds – Whether you’re adding new ones or fixing up old ones, it’s much easier to do now than when spring chaos hits.
🌾 Start a Compost System – Get your compost bin or pile set up so it’s ready to fuel your soil come planting time.
🚜 Sharpen & Maintain Tools – Clean, sharpen, and oil your gardening tools so they’re in top shape when you need them.
🛒 Stock Up on Supplies – Order mulch, soil amendments, and garden essentials before the spring rush.
4. Embrace the Rest: Winter’s Gift to Gardeners
Gardening is hard work. Winter forces us to slow down, recharge, and prepare for the busy season ahead. Instead of wishing it away, embrace it:
❄ Enjoy Cozy Evenings – Light a fire, sip tea, and read up on gardening techniques or new crops to try.
📚 Take an Online Gardening Class – Learn about permaculture, soil health, or a new gardening method while you have the time.
🎨 Get Creative with Garden Art – Paint garden markers, design trellises, or plan DIY projects to beautify your space.
📅 Plan a Gardening Getaway – Visit a botanical garden, greenhouse, or farming conference to stay inspired.
5. Celebrate the Beauty of the Season
Winter might not be bursting with life like spring and summer, but it has its own quiet beauty.
❄ Go for a Winter Walk – Appreciate the stillness of snow-covered trees and the crisp air. Nature is still alive, just resting.
🔥 Build a Bonfire – If you can’t grow food, at least you can roast marshmallows and enjoy the outdoors in a different way.
🐦 Feed the Birds – A simple feeder outside your window can bring color and life to even the snowiest days.
Spring Will Come—And You’ll Be Ready!
Winter doesn’t have to be a time of frustration—it’s a time of preparation, reflection, and anticipation. By using these months wisely, you’ll step into spring ready to hit the ground running (or planting).
So, sip that warm drink, flip through your seed catalogs, and enjoy this season of rest. Because before you know it, the snow will melt, the ground will thaw, and you’ll be elbow-deep in soil once again.
~~ Larkz
Larkz Homestead 