Stop Waiting for Spring! The Winter Garden Move Martha Stewart Swears By

Martha Stewart, queen of all things domestic, shared a gardening post on her website, The Martha Blog, showing something every dedicated gardener is jumping up and down to hear: the dormant season is one of the best times to rethink your garden beds and prepare for a spectacular spring.

Her crew recently pulled out some old Solomon’s seal and replaced it with new shrubs like star magnolia and birchleaf spirea while the plants were still dormant. I know, crazy! But this reduces shock and gives them time to settle before the new growing season begins.

This strategy doesn’t just look nice; it’s also very smart. Working with plants while they’re asleep reduces their stress and makes it easier when you need to put them in a new location or swap them out for hardier species that will really thrive once the warmer weather finally comes in.

Thinking of giving your own winter garden a refresh? Here’s our practical winter guide to do this, from choosing cold-tolerant replacements to lifting and transplanting plants that are already there while reducing shock.

Why Winter Is a Great Time to Refresh

Gardeners (and pretty much everyone else) think of winter as a season of doing nothing but waiting. For those who aren’t patient, it can be super frustrating. But since many perennials, shrubs, and even small trees go dormant once the weather gets cold, they put their energy underground rather than on leaves and flowers.

This is why winter is the ideal time for moving them and for adding some new hardy additions. Transplanting while flowers are dormant reduces shock because the plants aren’t actively growing top shoots that need water and nutrients.

Before you even attempt to start digging, make sure the soil is actually workable; if it’s too frozen, you can damage the roots. How do you check this? If the soil stays in a ball when you squeeze it, it’s probably workable enough to start.

Choose Hardy Replacements That Will Thrive

When you’re in the middle of removing old perennials or overcrowded areas, use that as an opportunity to plant new hardy, winter-friendly shrubs that thrive in your climate, wherever that may be.

Some excellent options include:

• Birchleaf spirea: Sturdy, elegant, and blooms in early summer
• Star magnolia: Just as Martha Stewart planted, the star magnolia blooms with dramatic spring flowers after a dormant winter
• Smooth hydrangeas: These have a great structure and bloom later in the season

Bonus tip: Planting when flowers are dormant gives the roots a head start before warm weather, so by the time spring arrives, your garden will already be ahead.

Lift and Transplant With Care

Being gentle is key. If you’re moving existing plants rather than replacing them, do it with gentle hands so as not to damage them.

Here’s how:

• Water them a couple of days before you start digging, as slightly moist soil holds together better.
• Dig a wide enough circle around the plant to give yourself space to lift it out without damaging the roots.
• Lift the root ball with the soil still intact, as this will protect the roots from exposure and drying.
• Replant them right away so you don’t leave the bare roots exposed to harsh winter winds.

If you’re looking for some good tools, a digging spade and some durable garden gloves make a huge difference. This spade from Walmart is a great pick as it’s great for transplanting and has an ergonomic grip.

Pro tip: Don’t trim healthy roots! Focus on removing only the broken or damaged ones.

Prep the New Site Beforehand

Before you even think about transplanting or planting new shrubs, it’s important to properly prep the hole. A good hole should be twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball (but don’t plant too deeply).

Break up the compacted soil with a hand fork and mix in your compost to provide nutrients and good drainage. This hand fork was the overall pick on Amazon, and it has an ergonomic handle to reduce wrist fatigue.

Don’t forget to mulch around the base after planting to insulate roots and moderate soil temperature. This is especially helpful if you live in a climate where winter temperatures can change wildly. This mulch from Walmart is a great choice as it also blocks weed growth.

Care After Planting

Once you’ve put your plants in the ground, your work isn't over. There is still quite a lot of maintenance to be done. Here are some tips:

• Don’t water too much on milder days if the soil isn’t frozen.
• Use just a light layer of mulch to help with moisture retention and temperature control.
• Save fertilizing for spring when growth resumes.

Refreshing your garden in winter sets you up for success in spring, and gives your garden a quiet head start while others wait around for warm weather.