1. Winter Damage Patrol & Dormant Oil Spray
Inspect your trees and shrubs for winter injuries. If you see broken branches or frost damage, prune them away. This is also the time to apply dormant oil to fruit trees to help protect against overwintering pests.
2. Pruning for Healthy Growth
Late winter is the ideal time to prune dormant trees, shrubs, and roses. An easy way to remember this is to do it around President's Day weekend—although this year, we had snow, and it didn’t feel right for the plants, nor for us to be on ladders! :) Trimming now helps shape plants, improve air circulation, and encourage healthy new growth once spring arrives. Do not prune lavender at this time—it’s still too cold (Zone 8B)!
3. Last Call for Bare-Root Planting
Bare-root trees and shrubs need to be in the ground before they break dormancy. If you haven’t planted yours yet, now is the final opportunity to get them settled before the growing season kicks in.
4. Tool & Equipment TLC: Clean, Sharpen & Tune-Up
Get your garden tools in top shape before the busy season begins! Clean off any rust or debris, sharpen blades for easier cuts, and oil hinges to keep them working smoothly. On the farm, we also check our mower and tractor, making sure everything is tuned up and ready before the farming season kicks in. If you don’t have time to sharpen your garden tools, it’s well worth taking them to a sharpening service.
5. Garden Planning
Map out your garden layout and plan your crop rotations to prevent soil depletion and pest buildup. Thoughtful planning now makes for a healthier and more productive garden later. For us, our garden is limited to only two raised boxes, so it’s easy to plan. But this year, we want to expand our fruit orchard and landscape areas, so this is the perfect time to plan for those as well and start prioritizing what should be done first.
6. Kickstart Seed Starting
If you have the right indoor setup, now’s a great time to start cool-season vegetables, flowers, and/or propagating from cuttings. Every time I prune my roses, I propagate cuttings to plant in other areas around the house. It’s not a difficult process, although it takes time to grow roses this way, and to be completely honest, I need to try with many cuttings since my success rate is still low!
7. Test & Balance Your Soil pH
PNW soils tend to be naturally acidic, which can affect plant health and nutrient availability. Testing your soil’s pH now gives you time to make necessary adjustments before spring planting begins. If your soil is too acidic, adding lime can help balance it out. On the other hand, if it's too alkaline, elemental sulfur or organic matter can help bring it back into balance. Most garden centers offer easy-to-use pH testing kits, or you can send a sample to a local extension service for more precise results.
Let’s Get Ready for a Spectacular Spring!
Gardening is all about working with the seasons, and even if you’re a little behind, there’s always time to catch up. Stay tuned for more winter gardening tips, and if you need lavender plants, essential oils, or inspiration, subscribe to our website or visit our online farm store to get your favorite lavender products.
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