Top Ten Gardening Tips for Winter

Don't let bare branches and harsh temperatures dissuade you from taking pleasure in your garden this winter. Here are a few tips for protecting it and keeping it a beautiful, inviting place to look at and enjoy.

1) If the ground has already frozen where you live and you don't already have a variety of evergreens in your garden, plan to plant some next year. Evergreens not only brighten up winter gardens, they also provide shelter for wildlife and protect your other plants from harsh winds.

2) Winter berries are another easy way to incorporate vivid colors into the serenity of your winter garden. They'll give your outdoor space a festive look as well. Check with your local nursery to see which varieties will thrive in your region.

3) If you haven't done so already, winterize your outdoor fountain(s) by removing the pump, draining out the water and utilizing a protective fountain cover, which will prevent cracks due to the freezing and thawing of precipitation. Now is also the perfect time to give it a good cleaning.

4) Your water garden is in particular need of winter care. Sink all hardy perennials in the deepest area of the pond; this will keep them in the warmest water available. Tropical plants should be treated as annuals and removed so they won't contaminate the water as they decompose.

5) Architectural structures such as trellises, arbors, benches, and statuary stand out in a bare winter garden. They're a great way to provide focus and interest. You may want to re-arrange them once the leaves have all fallen from your trees and shrubs, to take advantage of the newly open space.

6) Give birds (and, if you like, other small wildlife) a winter sanctuary. Providing them with basic necessities such as food and fresh water will really liven up your garden.

7) Cover young, fragile plants with plastic sheeting or bubble wrap when the temperatures threaten to dip dangerously low. It will shield them from the cold for the night, and in the morning you can simply remove them to let the plants get sunlight and air circulation.

8) Be on the lookout for slugs and snails, which can take over the potential destruction of your plants once the bugs are gone for the winter. Remove them whenever you notice them.

9) Prevent damage to fragile limbs on trees and shrubbery by brushing off piles of snow as they accumulate. Also, if you use salt to de-ice your driveway or front steps, take care not to pile snow from these areas onto nearby plants.

10) Many gardeners love winter, because it gives them the opportunity to start fresh and spend hours lingering over seed catalogs. Curl up with a mug of hot cocoa and plan your spring garden ' it will give you more to look forward to once the weather starts to warm up.