Winter for Gardeners

French existentialist writer and philosopher Albert Camus once said about his garden, "In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer."
To feed our invincible summers there are plenty of suggestions, courtesy of the internet, for winter tasks.


Don’t hide winter-flowering treasures such as witch hazel (hamamelis), wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), winter honeysuckle (Lonicera purpusii) and winter cherry (Prunus ‘Autumnalis’) away at the back of the garden: if they are planted in pots, bring them close to doors, windows and pathways so you can enjoy the colour and scent: if they are planted in the ground, cut generous armfuls of stems to display in vases indoors.

witch hazel

Dream about next season’s garden, inspiration is easy to find. If you take a trip this winter include a visit to a botanical garden.  Most have indoor conservatories where you can view plants you may want to incorporate as annuals in your own garden. Borrow gardening books from your library and peruse magazines for new ideas.

Organize your seeds-read more 

Get your tools in shape — Spring pruning leaves little time for giving your hardworking pruners and loppers the care they need. Rodale’s Organic Life says the calm of winter is the best time to clean, sharpen, and oil your tools to keeping them working their best for years to come. Read more 

Prepare seed starting equipment — Get Busy Gardening recommends sterilizing your seed starting trays using a 1:9 bleach solution to prevent lingering fungal diseases from ruining your tender seedlings. Make sure you have plenty of germinating mix and that your grow lights are in good working order. If not, order new bulbs and install them before starting your seeds.

Compost — A properly maintained and built compost pile should still be cooking even in the cold temperatures of winter, says Rodale’s Organic Life. Continue to feed it and turn it over. Your spring plants will thrive in the compost-rich soil.

Winter sow hardy seeds-Read More 

Hardscaping-Winter is the best time to observe your garden's "bones" and consider changes.

Build- Raised bed boxes, cold frames, a greenhouse....

Feed the birds

Comments are always enjoyed:
What are your favourite/essential garden tasks in winter? Share your tips on tool cleaning and seed storage.