By Kelsey Deckert, Horticulture agent

NDSU Extension - Burleigh County

Groundhog Day was Feb. 2 and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means another six weeks of winter. I don’t know about you, but this isn’t a shock for me. Most North Dakotans come to expect this prediction.

As gardeners in the North, winter can seem to drag on and when we get a couple nice days like at the end of January, we get spring fever! How can a person keep their green thumb busy throughout the winter?

The first thing I recommend is to look into local community activities or events. If you have a local greenhouse or floral shop, they may be hosting different workshops throughout the winter. If not, contact an NDSU Extension county agent about any upcoming events or even offer suggestions for a workshop.

Take time to evaluate your garden from last year and start planning this year’s garden. Many gardeners have received seed catalogs and now is a great time to explore and research different varieties. If you are looking for tried and true varieties for North Dakota, take a look at the North Dakota Home Garden Variety Trials Results from 2024 at ndsu.ag/homegardentrials.

Focus on indoor gardening. Different forms of indoor gardening include houseplants, terrariums, fairy gardens and herb gardens, just to mention a few. Plants in your house and workplace can have many therapeutic benefits, which can help with the seasonal blues.

Start a garden journal. A garden journal can include ideas, your garden layout, seeds you have tried or want to try, inspirational quotes, monthly to-do lists, photos, seed starting and anything else you want to include. The act of journaling is another benefit for one’s mental health.

Consider garden tool maintenance. Our tools are an investment and it is important to maintain them. Clean, sharpen and oil any metal parts. Take a look at the garden shed and make an inventory sheet. Now is a good time to organize anything that didn’t happen in the fall.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are a great way to keep busy. There are endless possibilities online for garden projects. Raised beds, wind chimes, bird feeders, garden markers, trellises, garden decor and outdoor furniture are some projects that may spark interest.

Lastly, another way to keep busy now is composting. If you are looking at ways to level up your garden and focus on soil health, composting is a great way to give back to your garden. Do some research prior to help you decide the best method that will work for you.

For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent. Find the Extension office for your county at ndsu.ag/countyoffice.  

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Feb. 12, 2025

Source: Kelsey Deckert, 701-221-6865, Kelsey.j.deckert@ndsu.edu

Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701-231-6136, kelli.c.anderson@ndsu.edu