Winter Gardening:

The fall clean-up is d, your bulbs are planted and your looking forward to the spring gardening season. You need not look so far ahead. Winter can be a busy time for gardeners. Planning, of course, is ential but there are a few other chores which can be d as well.

Here are a few gardening tips to help you get through winter.

Review last year's journal and start a new for this year by recording your seed/plant orders Browse through catalogs or spend a little time online searching for the plants you'll be using during the upcoming season. First, however, plan your new garden or update your existing .

Rework your garden design, think about what was missing in the garden during the previous season. Also, look around, what could make the landscape more interesting during the winter months. Often, a large evergreen serving as an anchor or specimen shrub can improve a winter landscape. Look for shrubs with winter berries, trees which begin budding in late winter or tr and shrubs with interesting form or colorful bark.

Forethought is ential when planning succful garden. After you've decided what you'd like your new garden to offer begin a site analysis. Having a clear understanding of your site's condits is important it will enable you to make informed deciss regarding design and plant select. Determine the following factors; climate & micro-climate, sun & shade condits, wind exposure, soil composit and existing vegetat.

Plant hardin z maps divide the country into zs based on the lowest average winter temperature. A plant that is adapted to your hardin z is that can tolerate the lowest winter temperature your z typically experiences. Find out the z in which you live and use it as guide during your plant select proc.

Along with the overall climate condits of your area, micro-climates within your specific site also determine what is appropriate for your garden. A sunny spot against a brick wall with a southern exposure, for example, will be warmer than its surrounding environment, even during the coldest winter days. In a space such as this, plants which are borderline hardy have a better chance at survival than if planted elsewhere in the garden.

Being aware of the sun and shade condits in your garden is ential garden design and to the long term succ of your new plantings. Improperly placed plants are a main reason for unnecary transplants. Most plants prefer at least some shade during the day.

Getting to know the condits of your site before you begin planning and planting can be the difference between succ and disappointment. Properly planned gardens ensure the time you invest in you garden is worth it, as each properly placed plant thrives.

Aside from reworking your garden design, there are some tasks which will need to be d in the garden during the winter. For instance, Prune your deciduous trees and shrubs in the winter while they are dormant.

Check on your stored bulbs. Check your perennial gardens for heaving, especially in areas pr to repeated freezing and thawing. Recycle your Christmas tree as garden mulch or a bird feeder. Feed the birds and provide them with some unfrozen water. Shake the snow off of your evergreen shrubs after snow storms. Also, sharpen your tools so you'll be ready to get to work when the ground thaws. Though the plants are dormant and snow is on the ground, winter is the ideal time to prepare for a busy gardening season.