February 15, 2023

Prepare Your Garden for Spring

Front of two-story house with two garages and little dust of snow

While some New Yorkers are currently feeling those first false spring feels, others are staring out into a frozen, snow-covered backyard. Either way, it can be hard to imagine your landscape in full bloom during these February days, but spring will be here soon enough.


There are several essential steps to take in your garden in the winter months to make sure that you have optimal conditions once the planting season comes around.  Take the following steps in the wintertime to ensure you have a beautiful, lush spring garden.


Winter Gardening Tips

These things are always better to complete in the fall before the first freeze, but if you haven’t done them yet, it’s better to tackle them now than never.


  1. Remove dead or diseased parts of plants to prevent further decay, which also prevents pests from staying around and encourage new growth for spring.
  2. If the soil isn’t frozen in your local area, test the pH to determine if you need to amend the soil with acidic- or alkaline-building materials. Limestone additives help neutralize acidic soil while adding compost helps balance alkaline soil. Since soil pH can take time to adjust, starting in the winter is ideal.
  3. Cover cold-sensitive plants with mulch, plant cones, or burlap wraps.
  4. Take inventory of garden tools and equipment. Ensure all your tools are clean and organized and take your existing tools to be repaired or replaced. The lawnmower repair shops are generally much less busy this time of year, so turnaround times are much quicker.
  5. Be prepared for freezes. Even though it may feel in some parts of New York that we may never feel the freeze, we will likely still have more nights of frost. Ensure the irrigation system is drained and turned off to prevent extensive damage. Remove the hose from the spigot and store hoses and sprinklers in a dry area. Stock up on garden tarps to cover any plants that need additional protection from the cold or wind.
  6. Use this time to plan for spring. Meet with your landscape architect or gardener, or start researching what plants you’re hoping to make room for to enhance your garden. Price out any equipment you may need, and visit your local nursery to make connections and discuss options for the coming spring.
  7. With springtime approaching, plant hardier plants indoors and prepare to transfer them outdoors to the ground once the threat of frost has turned to an assured thaw in early spring.


Maintaining your garden during winter months will make you feel like you’re ahead of the game when the spring gardening season rolls around, and will help you maintain your feeling of being an attentive and thoughtful homeowner.

You may be interested in:

A man is using a calculator while holding a piece of paper.

Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

May 15, 2025
Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home.
A house is sitting on top of a graph on a computer screen.

Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

May 15, 2025
With all the uncertainty in the economy, the stock market has been bouncing around more than usual.
A room filled with lots of cardboard boxes and a wooden crate.

Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?

May 15, 2025
If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: “why would I give that up?”
A close up of a real estate deed

What you Should Know About Deeds and Titles

April 9, 2025
Closing day is an exciting milestone for buyers and sellers alike. To complete the process of a home sale, a property’s ownership rights are formally transferred from the seller to the buyer. Here’s what you should know about deeds and titles:
A magnifying glass , pen , and a model house are on a wooden table representing a chart.

REALTORS® Confidence Index

March 28, 2025
The Market Outlook from the REALTORS® Confidence Index for sellers increased compared to last month.
A homeowners association document is sitting on a wooden table next to a pen and a book.

Homeowners Associations

March 28, 2025
In many housing markets, homeowners associations (HOAs) and other community associations can be a part of the homebuying (and owning) experience. Here’s what prospective buyers should know:
A woman is kneeling down in front of a house holding a sign that says home for sale.

Marketing Your Home

March 28, 2025
Once you decide to sell your home, your agent will work with you to determine the best strategy to reach potential buyers and attract strong offers. Here are some considerations when marketing your home:
A wooden house with the words property tax written on it

Property Taxes

March 28, 2025
Wherever you buy a home in the United States, property taxes are a reality of homeownership. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help connect you with a tax expert in your area, but here are the basics:
A man is holding a sold sign in front of a house.

Navigating Multiple Offers

March 28, 2025
When your home is on the market, you may receive offers from multiple interested buyers. Offers can vary greatly, and you will need to determine which one is best for you. Here's what sellers should know:
Show More