Source: Kathryn Pettigrew, horticulture research analyst, and Rachel Rudolph, horticulture assistant professor 

Winter is an excellent time for planning next year’s garden. Take advantage of the shorter days and cooler weather to create a vision for the upcoming growing season. 

The first step is to look back on the previous growing season. Revisit any photos taken to refresh your memory of the plants that brought enjoyment, utility or challenges. What grew well and what did not perform as expected? If you took any notes or recorded activities in your calendar, review those items. If something was done a little late or too early, think about how you could change your approach.  

Evaluate the produce your household consumed last year. Consider if you need to grow additional quantities or increase the amount grown. Also ask yourself if there are other varieties that you would like to try. 

For your garden, list the plants you intend to grow and consider where they will be planted. Even a rough-draft map can help you better understand what is possible. These records can serve as a shopping list and a reference for later. Digital tools such as spreadsheets are excellent for this purpose as they can be easily located in subsequent seasons and revised. However, the pen-and-paper method can serve the same purpose and be great for mapping out the location of plantings. There are also apps available to digitally plan your garden bed. 

Once you have a general idea of the plants you want for your home garden, you can more confidently turn your attention to sourcing seeds. Seed companies can be located online, but if you prefer a physical catalog, call and request one. Reputable seed sources will identify the variety sold as well as a description, germination rate and lot number.  

If you’re unsure whether a seed company is reputable, don't hesitate to contact your county extension agent. Seeds for popular varieties can sell out quickly, so purchasing things ahead of springtime is a good idea. Extra or unused seeds can be stored in sealed bags or a plastic bin in a cool place and saved for later. 

For more information on horticulture success, contact your (COUNTY NAME) Extension office.     

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.  

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment news and communications team provides monthly Extension Exclusives in the categories of Horticulture, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Family & Consumer Sciences. To see more exclusives, visit https://exclusives.ca.uky.edu. 

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