Spring is on the horizon. What better way to spend these dreary winter days, than planning for a beautiful start to Spring? 

Although there isn’t much to do outside right now, there is prep work that can be done indoors to get ready for the upcoming season. 

Garden Prep 

• If you keep a Gardening Journal, pull out gardening notes and start making changes to this year’s plan. Learn more about creating a Gardening Journal. 
• Plan gardening and landscape beds, considering what to add or subtract from your yard. Review your notes and assess areas that need work. Learn more about Landscape Design. 
• Start seeds now for Spring planting. Start vegetables like greens, broccoli, eggplants and peppers. Refer to the information on the back of the seed packets to know what dates to start your seeds. They should be ready to transplant into your garden after the last frost. Learn more about Seed Starting.

Garden Maintenance 

• Inspect trees and shrubs and look for pruning that needs to be done once the weather breaks. Look for dead or broken branches, anything that’s crossing or rubbing together, as well as sucker shoots and water sprouts that need to be trimmed away.
• Check winter protection to make sure it’s still intact. Try to keep plants insulated with snow.
• Keep road and sidewalk salt away from plants.
• If ice accumulates on plants, allow it to melt naturally. Attempting to remove any ice may create more damage than necessary.
• Keep the birds happy during the winter, and they’ll return in the spring. Keep the bird feeders clean and filled. Don’t forget to have a water source for birds as well. Using a birdbath with a bubbler will provide much-needed hydration during the winter months. Learn more about Keeping Birds Around this Winter
• Enjoy the beauty of nature indoors, use house plants, and fresh flowers to brighten up indoor spaces. Learn more about the Power of Flowers and the Benefits of House Plants.
• Treat your Valentine to something special and order flowers from our Florist. 

For more information on what to do in the garden this month, visit any English Gardens location and talk with an expert.