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Last Updated on January 13 , 2024
There ’s nothing wrong with embracing the slower , informal day of winter and ingest a break from gardening – peculiarly after a busy twilight of harvest and preserving ! Yet the winter can feel like an awful prospicient time to go without run to plants and link up with nature . Some of us palpate most fulfilled when we ’re in our happy topographic point – the garden . gratefully , there are a number of rattling indoor winter garden bodily process that you may do to help satisfy that craving if you ’d rather not be outdoors !
Read along and get inspired with this list of over 17 fun winter garden activities and labor you may do inside . There are ideas for every budget and skill grade . Beyond the comforts of your home , retrieve there are many ways toextend your growing seasonand continue garden out of doors even as temperatures sink . And if you ’re in a balmy climate like ours , grow a downslope gardenright through wintertime too !
1) Organize Your Seed Collection
Even if you ’re a few months away from planting them , why not wreak with your germ now ? organise garden seeds is one of my favorite winter garden activities . I like to go through my seminal fluid collection every yr to assess what we have on bridge player , what we need more of , put away new seed , and generally tidy thing up . It definitely gravel me worked up in prevision for leap !
We used to keep our germ packs in a shoe box , overflowing into legion old posting envelope they had once arrived in . It was messy and unmanageable to locate what I was look for . Some seeds got entirely buried and forgotten !
If that sounds familiar and you have n’t jumped on the bandwagon with our favorite seed memory board organisation yet … connect us!These seed storage boxesare perfect for keeping seedsdry , organized , easy to notice and tote around . Paired withthese label , they make my little Type A warmheartedness whistle .
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2) Grow Microgreens
If you have a yen to grow something NOW , try microgreens!Kale , alfalfa , and helianthus sprouts anyone?Growing microgreens indoors is a fantastic winter garden project – or something you could do year - round ! They ’re easy to grow , and can be done under a smallgrow lightor in abright sunny window . Plus , the fresh little microgreens are absolutelyloaded with nutrients – in exponentially higher concentrations than their mature pattern . I ’m certain your winter body and palate will greatly appreciate that pop of unripened good !
Looking forsupplies ? We bonk these extra - perdurable microgreen growing kits from Bootstrap Farmer . you could utilize them withseedling soil , or match them with reusable , biodegradable substrate mat ( likethese constitutive jute matting ) to keep your microgreens sportsmanlike and mess - free ! Here is cute small all - in - onemicrogreen kitthat also includes mats and seeds ( though a smaller overall capacity ) . at last , here is a reallybasic little grow light . Or , this onewill provide more insurance coverage to acquire more .
For microgreenseeds , we make out the attest constitutional oblation fromHigh Mowing Seeds – though there are a lot of bulk organic selection on Amazon too ( see the full listhere ) . soda water over to our step - by - stepmicrogreens tutorialto con even more !
3) Plan for Spring
Ah , there ’s nothing better than cuddling up with a raging cup of afternoon tea and smokestack of ejaculate catalogs on a blue winter twenty-four hours . Browsing through seeded player catalog ( or online ) and planning for spring is another one of my preferent indoor winter garden activities ! ( See our favorite places to buy organic and heirloom garden come here . )
After we do our cum shopping , I like to start think about where I will plant everything in the garden come leap . We try our best to practice crop rotation and considercompanion plantingwhile provision . To help organize my thought , I utilise ourgarden plot plantemplate ( show below ) to map out where certain plants may go . It wee-wee things SO much easier cometransplanting twenty-four hour period ! They ’re also utilitarian to keep and quotation from previous years – especially for craw rotation . The program may change somewhat come springiness , but it ’s fun to pop out daydreaming now .
4) Try an Indoor Herb Garden
Microgreens are n’t the only affair you may develop inside . Consider develop fresh herbs too ! Start a windowsill herb garden with a few low pots , or tuck them under acountertop acquire lightfor even more success . The best herbs to grow inside includebasil , cive , mint , Petroselinum crispum , lemon balm , and tarragon . you could also judge to develop woodier perennial herb like marjoram , sage , rosemary , and thyme indoors , though they ’re commonly most happy outside – with ample sun and affectionate open soil to grow in . watch even more about growing and using herbs here .
5) Make Homemade Bird Feeders
The kiddos will particularly enjoy this fun winter garden project ! make a simple-minded homemade razzing eater with a pinecone , some peanut butter , andwild bird seeded player . Lather goober butter ( or almond butter ) in the grooves of the pinecone , and then roll or sprinkle it with bird seed – which will stick to the nut butter . expend string or a soft pipe cleaner to hang your DIY pinecone hiss confluent in a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree outside a window , and observe your feathered booster enjoy their protein - racy collation ! It ’s best to string up close to a small branch that the birds can perch on while they break up at the pinecone .
6) Start a Worm Bin
Worm compost is my absolute favorite way to sustainably repurpose food wastefulness ! Not to mention , worm castings(aka worm poo ) are the mostincredible fertilizerand land amendment you could utilise . insect casting have the nickname “ black amber ” for a rationality . With a worm bin , you could create that for free ! And your garden will give thanks you endlessly .
louse bin areeasy to countersink up , perfect for little spaces , and can even be kept indoors . perverse to pop opinion , worm compost bins do not sense bad ( specially if they ’re well - maintained ) . One of our followers secretly kept a worm ABA transit number under her kitchen sink for many month without her husband realizing it ( who was opposed to having one ) ! We ’ve had a louse bin for over a decade , include while living in an flat in Rhode Island while I was in grad school .
Learn how to create and maintain a bare , inexpensive tote bag - mode worm bin here . Worms do need to be protect from freeze down conditions , so if you ca n’t keep it inside during the wintertime , wrap the worm bin in insulate material like a fleece or fleece mantle and store it in a protect position – such as a service department , shed , or basement . This indoor winter gardening projection is another that the whole family will love !
7) Start Seeds for Spring
Though you wo n’t be planting most seedlings outside just yet , wintertime is the idealistic metre to start seeds for the coming springiness garden time of year . Not only is seed - starting a fun indoor wintertime gardening activity , it ’s essential in some type ! folk with short growing seasons must get a saltation get down indoors , so they ’ll have sizable seedling to plant fare fountain – ones that will take over yield quicker . Pop over to ourSeed commence 101 guideto learn everything you need to know !
Many common summertime veg crops like tomato , Madagascar pepper , eggplants , onion and more are started in the wintertime , several workweek to months before the last spring frostdate in any given area . If you are n’t certain when to start ejaculate indoors in your area , check out our handyplanting calendars . They ’ll show you the best meter to start ejaculate , organ transplant seedling outside , or directly seed seeds outdoors for dozens of different veggie , and every USDA hardiness zone !
8) Make Pressed Flower Crafts
We love to save and press peak from our spring and summer garden , so they ’re ready to utilize for fall or winter crafts . For instance , check outthis tutorial to make pressed flower candle lanterns(shown below ) . They ’re made from recycled glass jars , and are a beautiful DIY gift approximation ! We also like todecorate Cucurbita pepo with pressed flowersin nightfall .
Even if you do n’t have your own , you canbuy pressed efflorescence kitsonline for indoor winter craft . Then look at seat in asimple flower press(or a super - quickmicrowave press ) to press your own prime , ferns , leaves and herbs next season .
Related:27 + Best Homemade Gift Ideas : Mason Jar Gifts , Food , Self Care & More
9) Give Your Houseplants Some Love
If you ca n’t be outside , run to your indoor houseplants can be one of the most satisfying wintertime garden activities – particularly if they ’ve been neglected ! Perhaps it ’s clip to finallypot - upthat root bound monstera , orre - stakeyour leaning gumshoe tree . Usemicrofiber glovesto remove detritus from plant folio and make them shine !
Late wintertime is also a beneficial time tofeedhouseplants with aslow - release fertilizer , as they more often than not resume more vigorous ontogenesis add up spring . Our Houseplant Care 101article provide tips on ground , Inner Light , piddle , fertiliser , pests , quat , and more .
Maintenance aside , get originative with your plants ! Rearrange them or swap can to spice things up , or create a new sport works shelf , hanger , or show . Heck , you could even adopt a Modern houseplant or two ! Tell your plant - leery mate that “ DeannaCat told me to ” . I am willing to take the blame . 😉 Here is a cuteDIY succulent terrariumidea too .
10) Make Something With Preserved Garden Goods
There are all kinds of wonderful things you could make with goodies you ’ve save from the summertime garden : homemade flavouring or tea blends with dried herbs , medicative tincture and balm , or dry out efflorescence musical arrangement and wreaths . For example , harvest and savedried calendula flowersduring the busy summer time of year , and then take reward of the slower winter months to last make calendula - infused petroleum or healing unction .
Admittedly this does take a little planning in advance … but perhaps you already have something on hand to use . For instance , do you have a bunch of frozen fruit in the freezer ? It sounds like the pure time to turn them into jam !
idea to attempt :
11) Sanitize Garden Tools and Seed Starting Supplies
Winter is a great time to clean and sanitize your horticulture tool and reusable seeded player starting provision . Then you ’re ready to go and can off the priming coat run once the busy spring time of year arrives ! Why sanitize ? Routinely cleaning your garden tools is one important way toprevent the ranch of diseasein your garden , particularly for susceptible small seedling . checker out this clause to larn how we wish to sanitise our provision .
12) Grow Mushrooms In Your Kitchen
There are some character of fungi that you do n’t want lurking in your kitchen(I’m look at you , mouldy tool in the back of the refrigerator ) but here is a super neat wintertime horticulture idea : get some shrooms ! Like microgreens , you obviously can adopt this avocation any fourth dimension of twelvemonth .
mushroom are fun and easy to develop indoors , especially since there are a ton ofmushroom growing kitsreadily available that make it as well-fixed as 1 - 2 - 3 . The kits fare pre - inoculated with mushroom spores ( miscellanea of huitre mushrooms being the most plebeian ) , and all you have to do is keep them misted and moist . Then you’re able to harvest fresh , tasty , alimentary - dumb homegrown mushroom right in your kitchen ! Mushroom kit also make for an awesome gift , or coolheaded scientific discipline experiment to do with the kids .
13) Learn Something New
I do n’t know about you , but I have slews of gardening Word and powder magazine that I ca n’t seem to chance the clip to read – especially during the busy growing season ! Take reward of the obtuse , brusque , darker days of winter and see something new .
Read up on the benefits ofno - till gardening , how to make homemadealoe vera fertilizeror usemycorrhizaeto improve plant wellness , or how to spring up something new and unparalleled – liketurmericorpineapple guava . We have hundred of articles here on Homestead and Chill that may tickle your fancy ! Or , check out our inclination of favorite gardening book and homestead resourceshere .
14) Build a Birdhouse or Owl Box
scream all bird lovers ! Even if you ’re not a bird nerd like me , building a birdhouse is a scented little wintertime garden undertaking – and one your local wildlife will greatly appreciate too . We of late converted an quondam wooden postbox into a birdhouse ! Check outthis swell round - upof DIY birdhouses and architectural plan from The Spruce for more musical theme .
Or , if you want to step it up a notch , consider building an owl corner ! In return for put up them with tax shelter , these majestic birds of fair game can tender excellent natural rodent control for your garden . you may find owl box plan online from rely shuttle experts – like thisScreech owl boxplan from the Cornell Wildlife Center , orthis Barn owl boxfrom the Audubon Society . Be sure to explore what types of owls are most common to your area , since different owl species like particular boxwood shapes and size .
15) Attend or Organize a Seed Swap
Us gardeners tend to hoard seeds . Hey , no judgement here!Yet if you ’re like me , we do n’t always use up the entire source clique before they set forth to get honest-to-goodness . ( you may still plant and develop most honest-to-god semen , though the sprouting rate will start up to decline after a few year ) . Seed swaps are an excellent way to get free of extra seeded player , detect new - to - you varieties , and spread the garden dearest .
Seed swap can operate a few unlike ways . Sometimes you could convey whatever you want , and take whatever you desire . Others have more organized rule , where each participant exchanges the same routine of pack or variety with others in the group . mark off with your local garden night club or Master Gardeners extension office about upcoming seed barter events . Or organize your own – admit through the chain armor !
16) Decorate Your Pots
Feeling sly ? adorn pot is a fun wintertime garden project that you could do indoors . Grab some unpatterned terra cotta pots and get originative ! You could paint them with pretty designs , or even deck them with a mosaic tile pattern . Check out this tutorial onHow to Make Mosaic Flower Potsfrom Home is Where the Boat Is . Hunting down mosaic materials ( for example old plates or china ) sound like a fabulous excuse to go thrift shopping too !
17) Build Something “Inside”
If it ’s too cold , pissed , or snowy to comfortably ferment outside , make use of yourgarage or other outbuildingsas a workspace ! During showery winter weather , we’vebuilt raised garden bed , greenhouse benches , and a potting bench inside our garage – all ready and wait for spring . This season we ’ve been staying ironical inside a pocket-sized b while we work on a handsome irrigation project , cut and paste sure smaller section of PVC pipe in advance . I would love to build up a produce washing place next !
18) Deep Clean Your Greenhouse
The final winter garden project on this lean is for those of you that have a greenhouse . Freshen up yourgreenhousein preparation for spring by organizing pots , seedling supply , tool , or other items you store indoors . pass over down the midland walls and shelves with a natural sanitizing agent to kill any lingering disease or fungal spore from the previous season . We do n’t have a nursery at the moment , but liked to usethis homemade acetum and citrus fruit sprayto scavenge our old one !
And that concludes this list of wonderful winter garden activities!
