Mastering the Year-Round Garden - January thru March

Photo Hank G. Media

"This time of year Grelen Nursery is focused on pruning, fertilizing and

preparing the fields for spring planting." - Dan Gregg, Founder, Grelen Nursery

Gardening is often associated with sunny days, blooming flowers, and ripe vegetables, but the joy of gardening lasts year-round, even during the chilly months. This Grelen Guide provides a quick overview of key tips from Grelen Nursery's owner and resident plant expert, Dan Gregg, on how to nurture annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. While vegetable gardens are mentioned, the focus here is on plants that Grelen Nursery grows or uses on landscape jobs.

January: Winter Care and Planning

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January is an ideal time to reflect on your garden’s past year and plan for the one to come. This month is critical for winter care—if you haven't already, it's not too late to apply a thick layer of mulch around bulbs and tender plants to protect them from harsh weather conditions. And don’t forget about our feathered friends—continue to provide food and water for birds, which add life to your winter landscape.

Grelen Tips:

• Know your hardiness zone as this will be a huge help as you plan/maintain your garden. We are 6B in Somerset, VA.

• When salting walkways and driveways, be cautious to avoid harming nearby plants; using sand can provide traction without the risk.

• Don't forget to feed for birds.

• During warm winter days, water your newer evergreens to maintain their health.

• If you are planning for a vegetable garden, it's time to cozy up with seed catalogs and create a map of your dream vegetable garden. Don't forget to start saving your yogurt and egg containers for starting seeds (reduce, reuse, recycle!).

  
  

February: Spring Preparations Begin

As February rolls in, it’s time to jumpstart spring preparations. Start preparing for the spring season by planning your garden and focusing on your perennials, trees, and shrubs. This is an ideal time to assess the health of your trees and shrubs, checking for any signs of damage and performing any necessary early pruning. If you have any stored bulbs, check their condition and discard any that are soft or diseased.

Grelen Tips:

• February is a great time for structural pruning of your trees to promote strong branching and proper form.

• Be sure to fertilizer all of your garden plants prior to the start of the growing season; late February and early March are perfect times to feed your plants.

• While you are waiting for the weather to warm, sharpen your pruners and get your other gardening accessories in good working order. Do you need a new pair of gardening gloves?

March: Welcoming Spring

March ushers in the refreshing scent of spring and is a great time to give your perennials, trees, and shrubs a little extra care. Start by fertilizing to encourage healthy growth as the season shifts. Be vigilant for any signs of winter damage, such as broken branches or stressed plants, and address these issues promptly to ensure a strong start to the growing season. This is the perfect time to evaluate your landscape and make any necessary adjustments to support vibrant, thriving plants throughout the year.

Grelen Tips:

• Begin cleaning up the garden beds, removing any debris left from winter and spot mulch beds as needed prior to the emergence of perennials and bulbs. If you haven't already, don't forget to fertilize!

• Early March is a great time to prune roses, buddleias and other summer blooming shrubs requiring heavy pruning. Be sure not to prune spring blooming plants such as azaleas to avoid removing flower buds! Stay tuned for our pruning class and don't forget to check The Market at Grelen News & Calendar page regularly for updates.

• Consider planting pansies and other cold-weather annuals. For those with vegetable gardens, it's also the perfect moment to plant your cool-season crops.

• It's time to clean out and refresh your planters in preparation for spring! If you are ready to replace or add planters, don't wait to order them.

Embracing Year-Round Gardening

Gardening is a fulfilling pursuit that spans all seasons, particularly for winter gardening enthusiasts. By breaking down each month’s tasks, you can nurture your garden every step of the way. From winter planning and prep to welcoming spring blooms and maintaining summer vigor, each phase holds unique rewards.

Prepare to enjoy the beauty of your garden, no matter the season!

RESOURCES:

Need Plant Material? To see what we carry and schedule an appointment with Darren, Grelen's Plant Manager, see The Market at Grelen Plant Page.

Need Planters, Garden Features (fountains, benches, etc), or Garden Accessories, shop the garden page on Grelenonline.com. You can also email leslie@themarketatgrelen.com with questions.

For more detailed gardening information, we recommend the Central Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners gardening calendar which is very good.

And finally, for a great list of Virginia's Gardens & Parks check out the VA Tourism's site here.