You may think it’s too early to get ready for Spring gardening, but there are plenty of things to get done during this cold weather down time before the beginning of garden season. Winter is our time to prepare and get all of our tools in place so that when planting time comes, we’re ready.
Do these things now and you’ll have more time for the fun stuff when the Spring weather arrives:
- Boost your soil fertility by adding new organic matter in the form or compost, worm castings, and/or mulched leaves. Do it before it snows.
- If it’s still warm enough in your area, put down a cover crop.
- Wind up all your hoses and store them.
- Clean up your garden tools. Oil any wood handles. Clean and dry the blades. Make your tools last forever.
- Now is a good time to build any new structures, like raised beds, sheds, potting tables, etc.
- Start a vermicomposting operation in your basement. There’s hardly anything better to add to your garden beds than fresh worm castings.
- Build your compost pile.
- Set up a rainwater catchment system to cover any dry spells.
- Start collecting mulch for the spring garden. You’re going to need it eventually.
- The 2015 seed catalogs are out. Start your shopping for seeds early. Two companies we like are Sow True Seed and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, both southeastern based seed companies. We’ll have new seed selections in the stores in January.
- Water your trees & shrubs! Trees need water even in the winter.
You can still grow this time of the year. Choose cold weather crops, like salad greens, kale, spinach. Put them in grow tunnels or grow in the greenhouse if you have one. Fifth Season sells a new Solar Heated Gro Tunnel product available for growing outdoors in the cold season.
Here’s a good link to check for last frost dates. Why is this important? So you know when to start your seeds.
http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-north-carolina-last-frost-date-map.php
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