Done Around: January – February
January and February are peak winter gardening months in Utah. You probably found this blog because you are looking for productive gardening tasks to prepare for spring.
Thankfully, you can make the most of these quiet months by preparing your garden for its best spring yet. Here are some winter gardening tips we’d like to share with you — reviewed by expert growers at Glover Nursery.
Winter Care for Seeds and Bulbs
At Glover Nursery, we have an entire wall of seeds for you to pick through. *text below image
Winter is the perfect time to plan your spring garden. Browse catalogs for new plant ideas and order seeds or plugs early. This ensures you get the best selection and gives you time to start seedlings indoors if needed.
For example, if you’re a bulb enthusiast, the first thing to do is inspect stored bulbs like begonias and cannas for signs of trouble.
If you find any mushy or moldy bulbs, we recommend throwing them out to avoid infecting the rest. Conversely, moisten the bulbs’ storage medium if they’re drying out.
Pond Maintenance in Winter
If you have a water feature in your yard, such as a pond or fountain, preparing for winter will certainly prolong its service life. Our in-depth video covers how to maximize its longevity (and efficiency come spring), which we outlined in a checklist.
Your Pond Winterizing Checklist
| ✅Stop feeding fish ✅Trim back aquatic plants ✅Regularly check heaters and aerators ✅Ensure there’s a hole in the ice for gas release ✅Watch for ice dams on waterfalls or streams ✅Remove fallen leaves and debris regularly ✅Other water features like bird baths or fountains should be fully drained and wrapped before sustained freezing temperatures set in. |
Lawn Maintenance in Winter
Your lawn needs care, too. Keep your grass healthy with your tools! Just because it’s not actively growing or needing to be mowed doesn’t mean you should ignore this well-loved feature.
 Rake leaves promptly. |  Mow short for the final cut of the season. |  Once the freeze sets in, avoid walking on frozen grass to protect the plant crowns. |
Garden Tool Maintenance
Speaking of tools, your trusty garden tools deserve some TLC before you put them away for the winter. Store all tools inside to prevent rust. Make sure to drain and store hoses indoors, too.
We recommend cleaning, oiling, and sharpening hand tools in preparation for the spring season. Drain the fuel from any power tools you regularly use and replace their spark plugs if needed.
Winter Gardening Tips for Trees & Shrubs
Your woody plants need extra attention as winter approaches. You’ll need to deep water trees and shrubs, especially evergreens. You should also apply an antitranspirant to
evergreens to lock in moisture. Lastly, pay extra attention to plants in rain shadows.
Late February is an ideal time to prune your shade trees, apple trees, and pear trees. Don’t forget to apply systemic borer controls around this time, too.
Flowerbeds
Don’t forget about your more delicate plants. We’re going to need to protect them from snow and ice. Here’s how to ensure they survive through the winter:
- Wrap evergreens upright to prevent snow damage. Watch our video tutorial done by Ryan Glover on how to properly wrap them for winter.
- Use sand instead of salt to melt ice near plants
- Plant any remaining bulbs ASAP
- Clean up rose beds and mulch for winter protection
- Prune roses lightly if needed to prevent snow breakage
- Before the snow sets in and the ground freezes, now’s also a great time to relocate any shrubs or trees you’ve been meaning to move.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your shrubs during heavy snowfall. Gently brush off excessive snow to prevent branch breakage.
Interestingly, a light dusting of snow on evergreens can actually provide insulation against harsh winter temperatures.
Is Your Garden Ready for Winter?
Applying these winter gardening tips will set your preparation up for success come spring. Remember, a little effort now means less work and worry when the snow starts to fly. Happy gardening!
