Winter is here, garden friends – a season when our gardening talents might feel underused, leaving us wondering if we’re fully exercising our gifts. But don’t fret! Winter is a perfect opportunity to stop, regroup, and rediscover the joy of planning. There’s plenty to keep us busy, even if the physical demands of gardening have paused for the moment.

During the warmer months, gardening keeps us constantly on our feet – and let’s face it, sometimes it wears us out. Winter, on the other hand, offers a chance to slow down and savor the simple pleasures of gardening life. There’s nothing quite like diving into a seed catalog on a cozy winter day. Scouting for new introductions, whether a rare seed or a unique plant, is an adventure in itself. Imagine the thrill of getting your gloved hands on a brand-new variety of acanthus – one none of your garden buddies has yet. It’s like uncovering a hidden treasure. Or think back to the joy of finally getting your hands on the much-anticipated Candy Corn Spirea when it first hit the market a few years ago. Winter may seem quiet, but it’s brimming with potential for those who take the time to dream and plan.

Take advantage of a warm winter’s day to walk your property and reflect on the past growing season. What thrived last year? Which areas of the garden required more time and energy than you’d like to spend? These questions are essential for guiding your decisions for the year ahead.

For me, watering in the summer heat isn’t as fun as it used to be. This realization has led me to scale back on some of my sun garden. Cutting back on garden space doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty, but it does mean reevaluating priorities. For instance, I have no intention of replacing that space with a meticulously manicured lawn. Your neighbor’s lush, green lawn didn’t just happen – it’s the result of countless hours of work and constant watering.

Instead of diving into an uphill outdoor battle, I’m choosing my outdoor efforts more wisely. By making intentional changes now, I can create a garden that feels rewarding, not overwhelming, when the busy growing season returns.

Gardening, at its core, is a relationship – a connection between us and the natural world that calls us to plant, nurture, and grow. Like any meaningful bond, it takes effort, care, and balance. Yes, the work can be demanding, and I’ve groaned about it plenty of times. But a relationship is defined as “the way in which two or more things are connected,” and isn’t that exactly what gardening is? Let’s embrace this connection with joy, not stress. By working with nature instead of against it, we can create a garden that’s as rewarding as any healthy relationship.

As I reassess my sun garden, I’ve decided not to expand or replace lost inhabitants, nor will I install turf or plant grass seed. Instead, I’m opting for clover – a low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternative that ticks all the boxes for me. It is a win for pollinators like bees, and the bunnies adore it too. Watching them hop around the yard is a delight! Clover stays green most of the year, only browning during those nasty, hot dry spells in the summer. But as soon as the rain returns, so does its lush vibrancy –

with no extra effort from me. I’m not a lawn perfectionist, so the occasional weed doesn’t bother me. If a few pop up, I’ll simply pull them out or keep them mowed. After all, they’re green too, and they blend right in. A lovely green swath, accented by blooming borders and beds, is all I need.

Now to the shady areas – which in the garden can be tricky. Grass often struggles under tree canopies, especially in the drought-prone conditions of our Zone 8 gardens. Instead of fighting a losing battle, why not embrace the shade with a natural garden? Low-growing grasses like mondo grass are excellent for these areas. Available in solid green, variegated, and black varieties, the dwarf types grow to a manageable 4-6 inches and require minimal maintenance. While slow-growing, mondo grass will eventually create a lush, low-maintenance ground cover that thrives in the shade. If you want variety, consider planting a grid of grasses or mixing in other low-growing plants like creeping phlox. This hardy plant forms a dense mat of green and works well in partial shade, though its blooms are best in full sun. Creeping thyme is another excellent option for drought-resistant, fragrant ground cover. While it can be costly to plant large areas, starting in patches and letting it intermingle with other plants can create a natural and varied look. And then there’s creeping Jenny. With its chartreuse leaves and vigorous growth, it brightens up any garden space. While some call it a “garden thug” for its aggressive nature, I’ve found it easy to manage with regular pulling and edging.

Consider the many low-growing grasses and ornamental perennials available to reduce the size – and the maintenance – of a traditional lawn. Before investing time and money in these alternatives, however, check with your HOA to ensure compliance, if applicable. In my own yard, I’ve incorporated mondo grass, ajuga, and thyme in a quadrant under a large oak tree. Once the leaves stop falling, I plan to add a little creeping Jenny as well. I’ll keep you posted on how it all thrives!

On warm winter days, head outside to tackle a few simple tasks. Prune old leaves from hellebores to reveal their blooms, and enjoy the sweet scent of winter-blooming plants like daphne and edgeworthia – great additions if you don’t already have them. As February approaches, cut back liriope to prepare for new growth. Give violas and pansies a boost with liquid fertilizer; they thrive in cooler weather and still have plenty of show time. Regular deadheading will keep them blooming beautifully.

As Valentine’s Day nears, show your lawn some love. Fertilize cool-season grasses like fescue to keep them healthy and strong during the remaining cooler months. It’s also a good time to tackle pesky weeds like chickweed and henbit with broadleaf herbicides, which can be applied to both cool- and warm-season lawns. However, hold off on mowing or fertilizing warm-season grasses until they begin actively growing in the spring.

Here’s to a little snow outside and a stack of gardening catalogs by your side. Winter days are perfect for imagining your dream garden, scouting for new plants, and pre-paring for the season ahead. Before we know it, spring will arrive, and the seeds of our winter dreams will begin to grow. Until then, happy gardening!