Now is the Time to Plan Your Garden!
Planning your garden during the winter is the best way to get a head start on the spring growing season. It is also a great way to help you achieve your garden aspirations! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice, taking the time to plan your garden now will ensure that it is healthy and productive.
Here are a few tips to help you plan your garden now:
- Research and plan: Make a list of the plants you want to grow and where you want to place them in your garden. Take a moment to research different plants, their requirements, and their ideal growing conditions. Let us know if you have questions about any of the plants that we carry!
- Sketch your garden: Draw a rough sketch of your garden to help you visualize where different plants will be placed and how they will interact with each other. This can be a fun step that is as simple or detailed as you like.
- Look at the sunlight: Make note of the areas in your garden that receive the most sunlight and shade throughout the day, this will help you decide which plants will thrive in which areas.
- Check the soil: Test your soil and find out what it needs in terms of pH, nutrients and drainage. This will help you decide which plants will do well in your garden. Many plants require well-draining soil (especially when newly planted), and our soil kits are perfect for starting 1 gallon plants!
- Order your plants now: Many plants can sell out by spring, so it is best to order the plants that you want early. We can ship them now or hold them for you until spring. We have a robust and growing assortment of shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, rhododendrons, and azaleas!
- Know your zone: Understanding your USDA planting zone can help determine the cold hardiness requirements for your plants (each of our plant descriptions indicate a cold hardiness rating). Don’t know your zone? No problem! We have you covered. Just click this link, select your state, and it will give you a map with zone ratings.
- Organize your tools and equipment: Make sure your tools and equipment are in good working condition, and organize them so they're easy to find when you need them.
- If you haven’t already, we recommend starting a compost pile or system. Using compost to amend your soil can give your garden a natural boost!
- Make a schedule: Create a schedule for tasks such as planting, pruning, and fertilizing, so you can stay on top of everything during the growing season. In most climates, we recommend to start planting after the last winter frost.