Six Things to Do for Your Garden on a Sunny Winter Day
It has been pouring in the North-West for several weeks now, and the only thing left to do is hide inside. But suddenly last week the clouds cleared and we had a whole week of cold but sunny days. When we have breaks, I drop everything to be outside in the garden. Here’s everything you should do on sunny winter days.
Clear driveways and sidewalks
Rain, snow and wind can ruin all the beautiful lines in your yard. The mulch and dirt you swept into the beds months ago may now be everywhere, so the first thing I do is start cleaning up. Sweep your sidewalks now that they are dry to reduce the chance of slipping on wet leaves. You can also throw in some loose sand to improve traction when you’re done sweeping.
The rake goes back to the beds; all leaves need a day or two of sun to dry completely. This will make raking (or blowing) the leaves easier. Likewise, ensure that mulch is kept away from the roots of trees and shrubs. While mulch is great for your beds when it’s damp, it’s also an easy way to spread viruses and fungi to your plants, so just pull it away from the trunks.
Work with the soil
Now is the time to put plants in the ground if the ground is workable. As long as it is not frozen, you will find that the soil is pliable and easy to dig. Thinking about fruit trees? Roses? Your kindergarten will be happy to pamper you. Remember that you need a hole that is three times the depth and width of the plastic pot the plant is in, so start digging.
If you’re not feeling so ambitious, this is the best time of year, believe it or not, for weeding. Weeds are minimal right now, but what you see above ground will bring tons more weed offspring in the spring. Killing the weeds you see in their infancy now will mean a lot less work in the spring. You will also find it easy to remove weeds given the softness of the soil from rain and snow. Although it sounds depressing, sitting on the ground and weeding your garden beds is a meditative day that keeps you outdoors.
Turn your compost
I have a terrible habit of ignoring compost piles in the winter, but it’s important to turn the compost so the pile is fully cooked by spring. Get a shovel or pitchfork in there and stir, paying attention to what you see and smell. If the pile has a good balance of carbon and nitrogen (some call it brown and green), the pile will not smell and should fall apart. It’s quite rare for people to run out of nitrogen – usually the problem is a lack of carbon. So if your compost isn’t compost, add dried leaves, cardboard, newspaper, or anything else that can be called “brown.”
Plant carrots
These bright orange vegetables are difficult to germinate and require darkness and constant moisture. That’s why winter is a fantastic time to plant them in the ground. Let Mother Nature do the work for you: the rain and snow are sure to return at any moment. Another benefit: Overwintered carrot seeds tend to produce sweeter carrots. You won’t see these guys until spring, but come April it will be a pleasant surprise. Spread the seeds on the surface of the soil, which tends to be sandy rather than clay, and then cover them lightly with soil. Some people cover the seeds with burlap or cardboard to retain moisture, but at this time of year I find that this is not necessary. Once it starts to precipitate again, it is unlikely to stop while the seeds germinate.
Clean up your bird stations
Few things give me as much pleasure as watching the Anna’s hummingbirds in my yard fight for dominance at my feeders, especially when the temperatures drop. But I don’t clean feeders as well in winter as I do in summer. Once the sun is out, it’s time to remove the feeders and clean them with bleach. With bird flu in all 50 states, it is more important than ever to protect our birds and pets. If you are unsure whether you can maintain the required cleaning routine, you can remove the feeders altogether.
Visit your garden center
In the spring, you’ll have to wait in line to ask questions about your garden or specific plants, and you’ll likely need to seek seasonal help. During the winter, only year-round employees are present and they are a wealth of information. They’re probably a little bored too, and there’s probably a hot sale downtown. Take an hour or two to stroll around the center, ask questions about that gardening project you’ve been putting off, and get some great deals on plants.