Share
Take a walk through your yard and check for any winter damage to branches and limbs.
Trees and Shrubs
- Prune any dead or damaged branches that may fall or cause further injury to the plants. For safety, call in an arborist for help with large trees. Likewise, avoid pruning near electrical or utility wires. Contact your municipality or utility to handle those situations. Inspect your trees and shrubs for signs of invasive species. Winter is an ideal time to look for evidence of hemlock woody aldegid, as well as for egg masses of the spotted lanternfly, which has recently been found in western New York.
Seed-Starting and Garden Tools
- While it’s still too early to start most seeds indoors, assess your seed-starting supplies. Are your lights in good working order? Do you need more seed-starting medium? How about flats, trays, and pots? Are they in good shape? Do they need cleaning? If you’re planning to start seeds indoors for the first time, think about what equipment you may need.
- Clean and sharpen your garden tools if you didn’t get to them in the fall, and note any tools you may need to repair or replace before spring.
Garden Planning
- Look around your yard with an eye toward winter interest for next year. What kinds of shrubs, perennials or trees could bring texture or color to your landscape?
- Remember to check out the Orleans Community Seed Share, a new seed library based at the Orleans County CCE offices in Albion.