Beginning Garden Primer: Elements for First Garden Success → A Successful Garden Plot →Basic Gardening Tools-> Winter Gardening

Winter Gardening - Rest, Boredom or Preparation

During the winter months there is not an awful lot to do in the garden. It's cold and depending on your location wet, grey and dark. Still the die hard gardener is busy, not just busy with doing nothing but really working and preparing his or her garden.

First of all this is the season we have time to evaluate the issues we encountered during the season. What changes do we like to make, what was running smoothly and what was more of a challenge. Do we want to make changes or perhaps thinking about larger projects like building a greenhouse, digging and placing a pond and fountain.

This is the time to draw it out, research it and rearranging it without all the physical hassle that comes with digging real holes in the ground. Garden, Patio or Deck 3D design software is one of the most handy of design tools you have ever seen.

The changes in capabilities of these programs are so fast and huge that working with good design tools is almost like gardening. And for some scientists it actually is. They grow plants virtual, inside the computers memory,

Virtual Gardening

Virtual Gardening, it's a long story by itself, but design with these types of software is really fantastic. You can emulate you whole garden. Most come with a plant directory and the more sophisticated packages let you even simulate soil composition, weather conditions and so forth. You can simulate a whole growth cycle and see your garden change through the seasons.

Design has never been so much fun and so easy. Implementation is still the hard part. But no matter if you do it yourself or have it done at least you have a clear picture of what the outcome should look like. Building or telling others to build becomes a lot more easy when you know what you want to achieve.

Winter is also the time to take care of your gardening tools.

Dirty garden tools, small damages after the hard summer work in the garden, sticky saps in the pruner's blades, there is plenty to do for any gardener!

Here are few useful tips on how we can clean and maintain our basic garden tools:

• 1. THE SHOVEL is one of the most used garden tools, specifically because of its large functionality and use for various activities. You can remove all the clay and dirt by using water and a brush. Pay attention to areas where root bits and soil remains usually stick, such as the shank. After cleaning the shovel, sharpen it to a working edge. Remove the rust from the shovel using a wire brush, then apply a thin layer of oil on the blade. Shovels are best hanged on the wall.
• 2. THE PRUNER is another garden tool that requires your attention during winter. The pruner can be cleaned by using a solution made of bleach and water. After cleaning the pruners, you can spring it with a lubrication solution such as the ones we use around the house. Make sure you wear protective gloves while you sharpen the blade!
• 3. You can remove the dirt from THE WHEELBARROW simply with a solution made of soap and water. If there are any screws that are loose, use a screwdriver to tighten them up.  Use a plastic cover or just turn it upside down in order to prevent water accumulations in the tray.

Snow, rain and cold weather...well, you have your hands full now. Just head to the tool shed and take care of your garden tools! Soon enough, you'll put them to work in the garden! There is plenty to do for a gardener, but lets not forget that winter is natures break from a busy growing season.

Winter Gardening also implies to take a bit of a break yourself. Or if you really can't leave your plants alone grow some herbs and enjoy a good meal.

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