What's Martha Stewart Doing in Her Garden This January? More Than You'd Think!
From snow markers to burlap wraps, discover the low-stress, high-reward winter chores Martha Stewart uses in her garden to ensure a successful spring.
The garden may seem quiet in winter, but if you really take a moment to “stop and smell the roses,” you’ll see there are actually plenty of things to do. Martha Stewart’s recent blog post about farm chores reminds us of all the tasks we need to take care of before spring, from mulching beds to caring for evergreens, which sets the stage for a thriving spring garden.
Martha said, “My outdoor grounds crew has been especially busy blowing leaves, storing supplies, covering greenhouse vents, fertilizing the fields, mulching the garden beds, and completing other necessary tasks. Are you ready for the winter?”
With some thoughtful planning and effort now, you can protect your plants, improve soil health, and make your outdoor space a joy to be in when warm weather returns (rather than a giant puddle of mud). Whether you’re working with a huge backyard like Martha's or a cozy patio garden, these winter chores make all the difference.
Mulch Like a Pro to Protect Roots and Soil
We’ll say it now, and we’ve said it many times before: mulch! One of the most important tasks in winter gardening is mulching, as a good layer has many benefits. It insulates plant roots, helps regulate the soil temperature, and keeps moisture in the ground so your plants won’t dry out in the cold.
As Martha says on her blog, “Mulch keeps the soil warm in winter and cool in summer and prevents roots from damage caused during freeze and thaw cycles.”
When adding mulch, stick with a maximum depth of about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm). It’s all about balance, as too much can smother plant roots and too little won’t give them enough insulation. Spread it evenly around perennials, shrubs, and trees, but avoid the dreaded mulch volcano! Leave a few inches around the stem or trunk clear, or else you risk rotting.
Mulching may not be a glamorous activity, especially since you can’t do it in a cute gardening outfit, but think of it like tucking your garden into bed for the whole winter; it’s one of the most loving things you can do for your plants.
If you need good quality mulch, this one from Home Depot is excellent as it’s great for the wallet and retains moisture.
Stake Snow Markers for Safety and Navigation
If you live in a place where snow takes on a life of its own and piles super high, the last thing you want is to step on a fern or newly planted shrub hidden underneath. Snow stakes are simple markers that can help you keep track of your garden beds under snow cover. Think of snow markers as little flag poles that give you peace of mind in your garden.
These snow markers from Amazon are durable, highly reflective, and come in a pack of 200.
Care for Trees and Evergreens With Intentional Winter TLC
The backbone of your winter landscape is, of course, evergreens and other cold-season trees. While everything else is taking a winter rest, these plants keep visual interest in your garden. Maintenance on these can be easy, but they do still need a bit of care to stay happy.
For younger trees, wrap the trunks with burlap or tree wrap to protect them from frost cracks and winter sunscald. This happens when the bright winter sun warms up the bark, and then temperatures drop at night.
If you get a lot of snow, make sure you brush off the branches of your evergreens to keep them from bending or breaking under the weight. When spring returns, you’ll be happy you did this as your trees will still be intact.
Walmart sells tree wraps like these, which have great air circulation and keep your tree mold-free.
Prepare Garden Beds for Early Spring Success
January is the perfect time for some pre-spring cleaning in the garden. Remove any dead foliage, cut back annuals and grasses to improve airflow, and run a rake through beds to level out the mulch and loosen soil.
Now is also a great time to add some compost so it can work its magic over winter. This compost from Walmart works great and leaves behind no smell. By prepping your garden beds now, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and stress when planting season arrives, and it’s way better than under the blazing spring sun.
Winter can be frigid, but your garden won’t hibernate unless you give it a little love and attention now. These tasks are low stress and high reward, making them absolutely worth doing while your tools are clean and your boots are ready to go.
