The Canadian winter season can feel very long, especially as we are patiently awaiting the start of the upcoming gardening season. Last winter, we wrote a blog about a dozen fun winter gardening ideas. This winter, we wanted to add five more winter gardening ideas to the list!
No. 1 Grow Indoor Plants – Try growing new indoor plants during those long, dreary winter months. Indoor plants can bring life into a boring office space, add a decorative touch, reduce noise levels, and clean the air in the meantime. If you are looking to try something new, experiment with air plants or try propagating existing plants.
No. 2 Regrow Vegetables – There are many vegetables, some probably in your refrigerator, that can be easily regrown. Green onions, leeks, celery, lettuce, and bok choy are some of the easiest to regrow. For green onions and leeks, cut them 1-2 inches above the root, place in a container of water, and allow them to grow. The steps are similar for celery, except when the celery leaves begin to grow and thicken (around 5-7 days) place the base in a pot of soil. For lettuce and bok choy, set the base of the vegetable in a container of water, let it grow for about 1-2 weeks, and then set into a pot of soil. Be sure to add water, when needed, when regrowing vegetables. Herbs, such as basil, cilantro, rosemary, and lemon balm can also be easily regrown. The process of regrowing can satisfy the winter gardening itch and save you money on groceries.
No. 3 Paint Rocks and Decorations – Are your garden decorations looking dull, or is the paint chipping? The winter months are a great time to refresh your garden decorations. Painted garden rocks are a great way to liven up a garden space. Refresh your existing garden decorations or upcycle otherwise unwanted items. Be sure to include colour, images, and inspirational quotes on your garden rocks. Garden decorations can be given a new life with some sanding, a fresh coat of paint, and a bit of creativity.
No. 4 Build Gardening Features – Did you plan to build a composter, storage container, or garden beds that fell through last summer? Take time during the winter months to develop plans for that garden feature you meant to make. You could even build the project during those winter months if you have the tools, supplies, and space in your home. Just make sure that the doors are big enough to fit the feature through for when the springtime comes along.
No. 5 Use a Grow Lamp – Plant growing lamps have become increasingly popular over the last years, and there are many grow lamps available on the market. Grow lamps allow you to easily grow vegetables and herbs indoors during the dark winter season. Grow lamps are a great way to have fresh, homegrown lettuce in the middle of a Canadian winter.
What gardening activities do you do on those dreary winter days? Share in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.
Questions? Please email us at .
Contributed by Alicja Jazwiec, Community Garden Education Assistant