Winter Garden Planning

According to many garden experts, winter is a time to slow down a bit. The garden is mostly dormant, the plant and seed catalogs have arrived, the weather is too harsh to do much outdoors. It’s the time to examine the bones of your garden, mull over what did and didn’t work in the previous growing season, and plan for next season. Oh, who am I kidding? Here in western Oregon, we’re lucky if we get a snow day or two, and we might stay in when it’s pouring. Otherwise, we’re out all winter, pruning, planting, cleaning up, making new beds and paths, harvesting winter vegetables, and all the other garden activities that a mild climate allows. Still, it is worth taking some time to plan. Here are a few things to focus on. Look out your windows Are there pleasing sights – evergreens, beautiful bark, berries, sculpture? If not, maybe you should add some. What was the foliage hiding? If an unsightly view has been revealed, consider planting something to hide it in winter. If an attractive view has been revealed, perhaps something should be removed or pruned to keep

it in view during the summer. Don’t be fooled by “empty” space Look at all that bare space once the summer foliage has died down! You will be very tempted to buy a bunch of plants to fill it up. Stop! Did you take any pictures last fall? (you should) Was there any room left then? I thought not. In a full border, a plant must die or be removed to make room for anything new. Remove plants that take more work than they are worth, spread too fast for their space, or are always unhappy. Then you’ll have room to add some exciting new plants.

Add Structure • Are there paths that allow you to move around with dry feet in winter? • A sheltered, sunny sitting area would capture the warmth of the low sun. • Add a bright focal point to a dull, foliage-heavy area. • If winter winds are strong, a hedgerow could provide shelter. By Signe Danler for CBUF - City of Corvallis Civic Beautification and Urban Forestry Advisory Committee