This is an excellent time of the year to start organizing and cleaning up area that you might not do any other time of the year. As long as the temperature is not freezing and no snow on the ground, there are many gardening tasks that you can accomplish to alleviate the spring rush.
The main reason to take advantage of this time of the year is because you can see what you are doing. No pests, no leaves on the trees or undergrowth and no snakes. Got a wasp or hornet’s nest hanging around? You can get rid of it without the chance of getting stung. Remove the briars and other assorted vegetation that is creeping on to your yard. Trim tree limbs while trees are dormant. If you are in an area that garden debris can be burned, take the clean ashes and place them on your compost pile and turn the mound.
Starting a new garden? Layout the outline of the bed. One of the new gardens that we are planning is a drought tolerant garden. We have been moving the rocks for the border. Any material used will settle until planting time.
Clean and organize your garden shed. Get rid of those mismatched gloves, broken garden stakes and old garden tools that are taking up space. What about the garden pots and trays that you have been planning on using for the last five years- are they still there? Separate the good pots from the bad and call your local greenhouse. Ask if they can use them. We have gladly accepted various pots that our customers don’t want any more.Take the unusable containers to the recycling center. Brush out the cobwebs in storage areas and start the year out fresh.
Check your equipment and do basic maintenance. Sharpen blades, change the oil, clean mowers, rototillers and any other equipment. If you know there is a problem with any equipment take it to the repair person. There is a possibility that they will not be busy this time of the year and can repair your equipment quickly, so that it will be ready for use. Everyone is very busy in the Spring, and it is very disappointing when you go out to work in the garden and your equipment won’t start.
A little bit of time and energy spent this Winter will definitely pay dividends in the Spring.
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