Just because winter is almost here doesn’t mean that the backyard you worked on all summer has to go dormant. There are still plenty of projects you can do throughout the colder months that will make your garden functional and beautiful through the winter while prepping for next summer. Below are a few of our favorite projects to work on in the off season.
Red Bridge by Bs0u10e0 is licensed under CC 2.0
Dormant grasses and plants mean that winter is a pretty drab time for the backyard. But just because your landscaping doesn’t have color at the moment doesn’t mean the rest of your backyard has to be blah too. Consider adding a pop of color by painting a gate or door a bright color like red or teal. Doing this not only brings brightness to a drab winter landscape, but also adds a touch of whimsy that will be just as appreciated during the summer months.
If you live in a mild climate like the south or southwest, winter is almost as great as fall for hanging out by a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Building an outdoor fireplace is a weekend project for the capable handyman (and a helper or two). Or if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, winter is a great time to hire a contractor to build it for you since they’re generally less busy in the winter months. Not only will a fire feature warm up your patio during the colder months, it will give you a beautiful focal point for your outdoor living area for years to come.
Winter can be a messy time for landscaping. Between rain, frost, and even snow, winter can often make for a wet, unruly backyard. Not only does the winter weather make your yard slippery it can also cause parts of your yard to die off and leave behind muddy patches in the spring. Think about installing a hardscape like a paver walkway to protect your yard from foot traffic not only during the winter, but year-round.
Believe it or not, winter is actually the time you should be prepping for your spring gardening. Use this time to stock up on non-plant items, like containers, pots, and seeds so that they’re ready to go in the spring. Winter is also a great time to take stock of what you enjoyed about your garden last year and plan out what you want to do next year.
Winter may not be the best season for hanging out outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to neglect your backyard. With a little creativity and planning, you can use the off season to prep your yard for spring and make it the best one yet.
