What to Do in Your Garden Right Now Despite the Snow & Cold
“Winter gardening is just optimism wearing a sweater and holding a seed tray.”
If you’re waiting for spring to officially arrive before you step into the garden, I have news for you. Spring does not RSVP. It just shows up. And if you want a thriving, productive garden, the work begins right now.
While winter is still pretending it might hang around, I’m already out there amending beds, tidying chaos, starting seeds, and plotting my planting plans like a woman with a trowel and a vision.
Amending Beds: Feed the Soil First
Before I plant a single seed, I’m feeding my soil like it’s the main character. Compost, aged manure, worm castings, leaf mold, whatever organic goodness I have on hand gets worked in now.
This isn’t glamorous work. It’s gritty, muddy, sometimes cold, and deeply satisfying. Healthy soil is the foundation of everything. You can’t rush it, and you can’t fake it. What you do now determines how your garden performs later.
Cleaning Up Without Overdoing It
Spring cleanup does not mean scorched earth. I’m pulling obvious weeds, removing spent plants, and cutting back what truly needs it. But I’m also leaving some leaves, letting beneficial insects finish their winter nap, and resisting the urge to make everything look Pinterest-perfect.
Gardens are living systems, not living rooms. A little mess is a feature, not a failure.
Starting Seeds: Hope in Tiny Trays
Seed starting season feels like optimism you can hold in your hand. I’m starting tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and a few flowers indoors, checking moisture levels like a nervous new parent. Timing lights and crossing all appropriate body parts for luck.
There is something grounding about watching tiny green shoots emerge when the world still feels a little gray. It’s proof that growth is happening, even when it’s quiet.
Planning the Planting Like a Boss
This is where the magic really happens. I’m mapping beds, rotating crops, planning companion planting, and deciding what actually fits my space and my energy.
Not everything needs to be grown. Not every plant deserves a spot. Gardening is as much about choosing what not to plant as it is about what you do. Boundaries apply in the garden too. We all know how much I struggle with boundaries so this task is really challenging for me.
Slow Gardening Is Smart Gardening
I’m not rushing. I’m preparing. Spring gardening done well starts with patience, intention, and warm jackets long before the first warm breeze.
Right now is when we set the tone for the season. And honestly, I am learning that there’s nothing more satisfying than being ready before the rush.
A Moment to Reflect
What’s one thing you’re doing right now to prepare your spring garden, even if it feels small? Drop it in the comments. Your quiet prep might be exactly the nudge someone else needs. 🌿