Winter is a good time to get outside and enjoy those warm days and get sunshine, look over your gardens needs and to do those jobs that didn’t get done in the fall.  

Crops to sow:

 Early Winter - Broad beans (under cover in zones 7 and lower.

Late Winter - Broad beans, Brussels sprouts, celery, celery root, leeks, peas and radishes (under cover).

Crops to plant: Rhubarb

Harvest now:

Early Winter - Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, celery root, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, leeks, parsnips, rutabagas, spinach, Swiss chard and winter cabbages. 

Late Winter - Celery root, kale, leeks, parsnips, sprouting broccoli, burdock root, and winter cabbages. 

Essential jobs:

• Prune fall-fruiting raspberries down to soil level.
• Prune wisterias by cutting back stems pruned in summer to two buds.
• Prune climbing roses and clematis.
• Prune deciduous trees and shrubs.
• Prune established apple and pear trees.
• Feed the birds and supply essential water.
• Mulch garlic with straw, compost or soil conditioner.
• Water winter vegetable crops during dry spells.  
• Gather seeds early for the best selection.  

Continue:

• Support tall brassica crops such as Brussels sprouts.
• Knock heavy snowfall off of shrubs, especially evergreens. 
• Put up new bird nesting boxes before spring.  

Last chance:

• Prune gooseberries and currants.

Now is the time to plan ahead! Browse garden books and choose new plants and crops you may want to grow. Start a garden design and remember things you may want to change or try differently. Learn from last years mistakes and success!