Winter is the planning and preparation season. What you do now sets up next year's garden for success.
Look back at what grew well, what you used most in arrangements, and what underperformed. Adjust your garden design accordingly. Decide which new varieties to try. The first-year guide can help even experienced growers refocus on reliable producers.
Popular varieties sell out. Place seed orders in December or January. Dahlia tubers from specialty growers sell out fastest. Order in January for spring delivery. Seed companies like Johnny's Selected Seeds and Botanical Interests carry excellent cut flower selections.
Sharpen pruners and snips. Clean and disinfect buckets. Repair trellises and support netting. Check stored tubers monthly.
If you did not amend beds in fall, add compost as soon as the ground thaws. Send a soil test to your extension office. Cover empty beds with mulch or a cover crop to prevent erosion and suppress spring weeds.
Begin the earliest seeds in January–February according to the seed starting schedule. Lisianthus needs the earliest start; snapdragons and stock follow in March.