Cooler Temps! Winter Gardening here in Texas

Gardening Tips to Keep Your Garden Thriving

As the nighttime temperatures drop and the days grow shorter (dark at 6 pm? Really??), your garden's needs change. But winter doesn't have to mean the end of your gardening season. With the right techniques and a bit of preparation, you can keep your garden thriving through the colder months. Here are some essential winter gardening tips:

1. Protect Your Plants

To shield your plants from the harsh winter weather, consider:

• Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of your plants to help insulate the soil and retain moisture.

• Covers and Cloches: Use frost covers or cloches to protect sensitive plants from frost. These can be purchased or made from items like old blankets and plastic bottles. Keep an eye out for plastic trash cans in the clearance area. The bathroom size ones make good covers.

2. Winter Pruning

Winter is an excellent time for pruning many trees and shrubs. Pruning during dormancy helps encourage new growth in the spring and maintains the shape and health of your plants.

3. Maintain Soil Health

Winter is a great time to improve your soil:

• Compost: Add compost to your garden beds to enrich the soil with nutrients. I have a bokashi indoor composter that I like to add to my garden beds. I do leave the bokashi compost covered with soil or finished compost for two weeks before adding any plants or seeds. I will probably continue to do that over the winter and build the beds up, switching to adding it to my outdoor composter later on. It just kind of depends on how the weather treats my garden.

• Cover Crops: Plant cover crops like clover or rye to protect and enhance soil fertility. I have not planted cover crops because I plant pretty much throughout the year here in Central Texas. I do rotate crops.

4. Plan for Spring

Use this time to plan your spring garden:

• Seed Catalogs: Browse seed catalogs and start ordering seeds for the upcoming planting season. Review your seed/garden journal. How did the varieties do through the heat of summer? Did you find a new variety you wish to try this year? Eggplant will be on my list. I couldn't find any seedlings last year.

• Garden Layout: Design your garden layout and decide what you want to plant and where. What worked? What didn't? Are you making any changes to your yard? Remodeling?

5. Indoor Gardening

Bring some of your gardening activities indoors:

• Herbs and Vegetables: Grow herbs and small vegetables in containers on your windowsill. I have had a small Aerogarden (I cannot believe they are no long in business) that I use to start seedlings. I purchased the seed starter top (it has 50 holes for the plugs) and will start some more broccoli this week. Probably spinach too.

• Houseplants: Focus on caring for your indoor plants to keep your green thumb active. Do you need to replant? Got gnats?? Ugh!

6. Water Wisely

Even in winter, your plants need water:

• Watering Schedule: Water your plants during dry spells but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. It also helps the plant to combat the cooler weather.

• Insulate Containers: If you have big potted plants outside, insulate the containers to protect the roots from freezing. If the pot freezes, the plant is done. But with the temps warming during the day, be ready to do The Plant Dance, as I call it. Bring smaller pots inside during the night and back out when the temps warm.

Winter gardening may require a bit more effort, but with these tips, you can ensure your garden remains healthy and prepared for the spring. Happy gardening!