Winter doesn’t seem like the best time to be a gardener. There is very little to do, other than some general maintenance, but the cold weather doesn’t encourage you to get outside and make any progress.
Nothing is growing, and spring seems so far away. It can be frustrating, but the warmer months are on their way, and there are many things you can do to be prepared.
Whether it’s finding tips for future garden projects or doing some hands-on practical work, I’ve used my years of garden experience to show you a few ways you can find inspiration during winter.
1. Visit Local Gardens

Most people think of visiting their local gardens between spring and summer. Stately homes and other historical attractions often have spectacular gardens attached, and many are open all year round.
But contrary to what many amateur gardeners might think, there are some plants that bloom in winter. Hellebores, pansies, and primroses are just three options, so why not head over and see what can light up your yard in the colder months?
2. Watch Gardening Shows

Television companies air gardening shows all year long. There’s always something that can be done in your space, and these programs can boost your mood through winter.
Even if there’s nothing on the current schedules, you can still watch reruns. If you like, you can find a spring or summer broadcast, so that you can sit back and remember that warmer times are on their way.
3. Plan a Wildlife Project

For many gardeners, attracting wildlife into your space is one of the hobby’s biggest perks. Bees will be attracted to certain flowers, which might also bring in a host of beautiful butterflies.
If you have an interest in local wildlife, you can take it a step further. Why not use the winter months to build a bug hotel, a bird table, or even a wild pond? There’s lots of advice and inspiration online, including tutorial videos that will walk you through every step.
4. Visit Your Local Garden Center

Garden centers are open all year round. They have to generate income across the calendar, and they prove that gardening doesn’t have to be seasonal. If you’re growing from seeds, winter is the perfect time to visit and look at their selections.
While nothing can replace the feeling of working in your own yard, a garden center helps you feel connected with nature. Staff will also help you to plan your projects, so you’re fully prepared when spring comes calling.
5. Seed Sorting

On the subject of seeds, winter gives us an opportunity to sort all our gardening items ahead of the warmer days. If you are a dedicated gardener, it’s likely that you will have saved seeds from plants, especially fruits and vegetables.
A more casual gardener may have some seed packets hanging around, and as long as they aren’t expired, they can be used. In late winter, around the middle of February, you can also gain some inspiration by planting seeds indoors and waiting for them to germinate.
6. Visit Gardening Friends

If you’re struggling to find any open gardens in your area, take an opportunity to visit friends to check out their yards. It’s not an ideal time to sit outside, but if they are keen gardeners, they could provide some much-needed inspiration.
Maybe they’ve installed a pond or a rock garden since you were last there. Enjoy a coffee, have a chat, and maybe you’ll both come away with some fresh ideas for spring.
7. Join a Local Gardening Group

There are local community groups for every type of interest, and gardening is no exception. Take a look online and it’s almost certain there will be a social gathering for enthusiasts in your area.
Like you, each of these gardeners will be eager for winter to be over. You can share tips, while many of these organizations also encourage seed swaps, so you could attempt to grow plants that you wouldn’t have considered.
8. Walk Around Your Neighborhood

It’s well-documented that spending time in nature is good for our mental health, but it can also inspire us if we’re looking for gardening ideas. Take a stroll around your neighborhood and see how others sculpt their yards.
What plants are they using? Do they have a pond or a water feature that you could copy into your home? We’ve seen that other gardens can provide that winter inspiration, and many ideas can originate from our neighbors.
9. Grow From Store-Bought Produce

As long as you have the right conditions, many plants can be grown from store-bought produce. Fruits and vegetables that you plant outside in spring, such as tomatoes and peppers, are ideal.
If there are seeds to preserve, you can use them to grow a cost-effective vegetable patch. This method can work for indoor plants too such as avocados, lemons, and mangoes. I’ve tried this at home, and while there has been some trial and error involved, the successes are hugely satisfying.
10. Join Your Local Library

Avid gardeners often enjoy building up their book collections, but it can be expensive. If you have an extensive set of publications, winter is the ideal time to flick through the pages and get some fresh ideas.
Alternatively, you could join your local library and borrow books for free. It’s easy to register, even if you find a library elsewhere and you live outside of the state. Sign up, and you can access a whole new set of information at no charge!
11. Build a Raised Bed

There are a host of winter jobs you can undertake in preparation for the growing season. A raised bed makes a nice feature and this is the perfect time to do all the hard work.
You can buy the equipment to make a raised bed from your garden center, but these are quite easy to construct. Many experienced gardeners will build one from a discarded pallet. It’s another satisfying job, so why not construct your own raised bed?
12. Browse the Catalogs

Unless you’re visiting the library, gardening books will cost you money, but catalogs are usually free. The next time you visit your local garden center, be sure to pick up a printed copy on your way out.
Alternatively, look online for catalogs, as these will always provide some ideas and inspiration. If nothing else, it’s nice to look at pretty pictures of plants in full bloom against a sunny backdrop.
13. Take Time to Prepare

While not much is happening below the soil, there is so much work you can do in preparation for spring. Winter is the ideal time to tidy your shed, coat your garden furniture in wood preservatives, or clean your tools.
If you’re short of any items of equipment, use those catalogs to order more. Preparation is the keyword at this time of year, and it won’t be long before you can put those tools to use.