Winter winds are howling, frost has painted your lawn white, and your garden looks like it’s in hibernation. But while most people are curling up under blankets, this is actually the perfect time to tackle those persistent garden issues you’ve been putting off. You might not think January is the most exciting month for gardening,…
cold soil
10 Winter Watering Rules for Trees and Shrubs
Winter might feel like the time to completely ignore your garden, but your trees and shrubs are quietly plotting their survival. Cold winds, frozen soil, and dry indoor air can stress even the hardiest species, and without proper hydration, they risk desiccation, root damage, or stunted growth come spring. Watering in winter isn’t about flooding…
7 “Too Late” Winter Garden Mistakes and How to Undo Them
Winter gardening in January can feel like wrestling with nature itself. Frosted leaves, drooping stems, and icy soil can make even the most seasoned gardeners question their life choices. But winter doesn’t have to be a barren, joyless stretch of gray. With a little insight, some corrective action, and a sense of humor, you can…
The Surprising Reason Your Garlic Isn’t Sprouting—And What to Do Before February
Your garlic bed is quiet. Too quiet. You planted those cloves with care, tucked them into the soil, waited patiently… and nothing happened. No green shoots. No signs of life. Just dirt staring back at you like it forgot the assignment. Before you assume total failure or start blaming the seed garlic supplier, take a…
Extension Agents Say This One Winter Habit Is Ruining Your Spring Garden
Snow crunches underfoot, breath fogs the air, and the garden looks asleep. It feels harmless to wander across dormant beds or cut a shortcut over the vegetable patch while everything is frozen solid. That innocent winter stroll, though, is exactly what makes extension agents groan every year. Long before seeds are sown, a surprising amount…
Soil Test Warning: What North Carolina Gardeners Are Finding in Their Yards This January
January is not just a month for cozy sweaters and hot cocoa—it’s turning into a revelation for North Carolina gardeners. Across the state, backyard enthusiasts are rolling up their sleeves and digging into something a little less glamorous than snowdrifts: their soil. Soil tests done this month are yielding results that are both surprising and…
Why Skipping January Soil Prep Costs Gardeners Later
The winter frost might have you dreaming of hot cocoa by the fireplace, but savvy gardeners know January is not a month for hibernation—it’s a month for preparation. The quiet chill outside is the perfect signal to turn your attention to the soil beneath your feet. Skipping this early prep may feel harmless now, but…
Why Some Gardeners Say Winter Is the Best Time to Plant
Winter gardening sounds like a rebellious idea, the kind that makes neighbors raise an eyebrow while clutching their seed catalogs in disbelief. Yet beneath the frost and quiet soil, something clever and surprisingly powerful is happening. While most people hang up their gloves and wait for spring, a growing number of gardeners lean into the…
Is Your Garden Prepared for Rapid Temperature Swings?
One minute your garden is basking in gentle sunshine, and the next it’s bracing for a cold snap that feels like it came out of nowhere. Weather whiplash has become the new normal, and plants are feeling it just as much as people are. Sudden temperature swings can stress roots, confuse growth cycles, and turn…
What’s the Real Benefit of Using Garden Covers and Tunnels?
Gardening already feels like a daring adventure, but garden covers and tunnels turn it into a full-blown action movie. One minute you’re planting tiny seeds, and the next you’re defending them from frost, pests, wind, and surprise weather tantrums. These humble-looking structures are not just plastic hoops and fabric stretched over soil; they are secret…