5 Must-Do Winter Gardening Tasks to Revive Your Outdoor Space

Winter doesn’t mean your garden tools should gather dust. Even in the coldest months, there are plenty of fulfilling activities to keep your garden thriving and your spirits lifted. Embracing the crisp air and the serene beauty of nature can be incredibly rejuvenating. Plus, the work you put in during winter will pave the way for a vibrant and flourishing garden in spring and summer.

Embrace the Chill: The Benefits of Winter Gardening

Gardening in winter offers unique advantages beyond just fresh produce or beautiful blooms. The cool air can be invigorating, and the quiet beauty of a winter garden can soothe the soul. Moreover, winter gardening can give you a head start on the growing season, ensuring your garden is ready to burst into life when warmer months arrive.

Brighten Your Home with Winter Blooms

One of the easiest ways to bring life to your home during winter is by cultivating winter-hardy flowers. Varieties like pansies, snapdragons, polyanthus, calendula, and lamb’s ears can add a splash of color to your indoor spaces. Many garden centers offer great deals on these plants, allowing you to mix and match different varieties for an instant mood boost.

Pro tip: Pot these flowers and place them near your front door or on a windowsill. Their vibrant hues will greet you daily, lifting your spirits even on the grayest days.

Sow Broad Beans for an Early Spring Harvest

Broad beans are a winter gardening superstar. Hardy and easy to grow, they are packed with flavor and can be sown directly into well-drained soil. Plant seeds about 4cm deep and 15cm apart. If you live in a particularly frosty region, opt for seedlings instead. Support their growth with bamboo stakes and twine, and make sure to keep the soil moist, especially once their striking black-and-white or crimson flowers appear.

Bonus: Winter is also an excellent time to plant other cold-hardy vegetables like celery, silverbeet, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower, perfect for hearty soups and stews.

Grow Rhubarb for Year-Round Harvests

Rhubarb is a low-maintenance perennial that can provide you with tart, ruby-red stems year-round. Although it typically takes two years to mature, enriching the soil with compost or aged manure can speed up the process. Unlike seasonal fruits, rhubarb produces stems throughout the year, making it a versatile addition to pies, jams, and compotes.

Planting tip: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and avoid harvesting in the first year to allow the plant to establish itself.

Plant Garlic for a Flavorful Summer Crop

Garlic thrives when planted in winter. The traditional time to start planting is around the shortest day of the year, but you can begin as early as April if your soil is workable. Avoid using supermarket bulbs; instead, opt for garden-center garlic that hasn’t been treated to inhibit sprouting.

How to plant:

Break bulbs into individual cloves, leaving the skin on.
Plant the plumpest cloves pointy-end up, about 5cm deep and 15cm apart.
Choose a sunny, well-drained spot or a 10L bucket if space is limited.
Water sparingly—garlic dislikes soggy soil!

Green shoots will emerge in about 3–4 weeks, and by December or January, you’ll be harvesting homegrown bulbs bursting with flavor. For a milder taste, try elephant garlic, a leek relative with jumbo cloves.

Plant or Relocate Roses While They’re Dormant

Winter is the perfect time to plant or move roses, as their dormancy reduces transplant shock. If your roses are struggling due to being shaded by overgrown shrubs, now is the chance to relocate them to a more sheltered, sun-drenched spot. Aim for a location that gets at least 5 hours of sunlight daily.

Planting steps:

Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
Mix in compost for nutrient-rich soil.
Position the rose at the same depth it was in its pot.
Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.

Come spring, your roses will reward you with lush foliage and abundant blooms, just in time for summer bouquets.

Why Winter Gardening Works

Beyond the practical benefits like early harvests and healthier plants, winter gardening offers mental and physical perks:

Boosts mood: Fresh air and light activity can combat seasonal blues.
Burns calories: Digging, planting, and weeding are great workouts.
Creates anticipation: Watching seeds sprout or bulbs swell builds excitement for spring.

So, layer up, grab your tools, and let your garden become a winter sanctuary. The effort you put in now will pay off in blooms, flavors, and satisfaction for months to come.

For more gardening tips, visit The Old Farmer’s Almanac.