Bring the Dead of Winter Back to Life
Jan 13th, 2010 by Kathy
This time of the year is often called the dead of winter. At a glance, that can seem an appropriate description, whether everything’s covered with snow and ice, or there’s just a brown landscape with barren trees, shrubs, and plants that look, well, dead.
Of course, we know that’s not the case. Some things are in a state of dormancy, while others are just as active as always. For example, those tracks in the fresh snow prove that the animals are out in full force, foraging for food; and if you throw some scraps out, or hang a birdfeeder or two, you’ll see plenty of life in your backyard.
You can go out and put down some tracks, too, because there’s plenty to do in the garden in January. Even when it’s blanketed with snow, the soil is still active, and certain plants and trees, such as evergreens, continue to take nutrients from it. Because they’re crucial to the overall health of your garden, it’s important to replenish them for your spring growing season. Composting is one of the best ways to do this, and you should keep tending and turning your compost pile, as well as adding organic materials to it, throughout the winter.
Mulching is another thing that you can do now to keep your plants thriving. Applying a layer of shredded bark or wood chips, three to four inches thick, will give the soil, your plants, and their roots, extra protection from the elements, especially if an early warm spell tricks them into thinking that it’s time to make their spring debut.
If you’re just not in the mood to go outside right now, or it’s dangerously cold, you can do some indoor container gardening. Go to a nursery and find the plants that will best fit your needs, your available space, and your level of expertise.
Then, visit CedarStore.com and choose from our great selection of red cedar, white cedar, and pine planters, planter boxes, planter tubs, window boxes, polywood planters and planter trellises, and metal planters, which are available in over a dozen bright colors.
This way, you’ll be doing something positive – bringing the dead of winter back to life!
Yours Outdoors,
Kathy

Container gardening would be an excellent way to bring some spring flowers or plants inside where they can be appreciated and enjoyed! I start to get cabin fever this time of year and I think it would lift my spirit to have something growing and thriving inside.
Thanks for the inspiration for our latest post, Kimberly!
http://www.alloutdoorpatiofurniture.com/five-houseplants-that-will-survive-your-winter-blues/