Checklist: What To Do in the Garden This Month

1. Grow an orchid. Orchids are the perfect plant to quell the winter blues. They bloom mid-winter and are quite happy in a sunny window. They typically grow under the upper canopy of jungle trees, so a bit of shade is just perfect for them. The flowers last weeks and weeks, and upkeep only requires a few ice cubes a week and a repotting every couple years.

2. Grow sprouts. Just because you can't grow plants outside doesn't mean there is a moratorium on growing them inside. What is great this time of year? Sprouts! Sprouts gain most of their energy from the seed itself, so they don't need as much light as full grown plants. Grow your own lentil, radish or wheatgrass sprouts for healthy additions to your diet this winter.

That little splash of green is also a welcome respite from the dry brown fields of grass and leafless trees.

3. Plant your pantry. Sprouts are not your only choice. Try planting potatoes that have sprouted in your pantry. If the potato is sprouting, it will grow!

Here is another pantry planting success story: Simply chop off the top of your pineapple leaving two inches or so of flesh. Plant it with the leaves right at the level of the soil, and in a few months your pineapple will be growing a whole new plant.

If you look closely at this photo, you can see the old leaf growth turning brown towards the bottom of the pot. The new growth is the lush green leaves you see in the foreground.

4. Plant your scraps. Are you eating lots of root vegetables this winter? Cut off a generous section of the tops and replant them indoors. You will definitely get tender beet greens to eat and you might be able to grow full-fledged beets if your pot is in a sunny, south-facing window.

5. Plant and force bulbs. The window of opportunity has passed for planting spring-blooming bulbs outdoors, but that doesn't mean you have to give up bulb planting altogether. You can find clearance amaryllis (pictured) and paperwhite bulbs right now at your local nursery or home improvement store. Snap them up and plant them quick! If they are not soft and rotting, they will grow!

6. Check on summer bulbs. If you have cannas, glads and other summer bulbs drying in your basement, now is the time to give them a quick check. Make sure that none of the bulbs or tubers are rotting or covered in mold. If they are, throw them out right away before they infect the others in your batch.

7. Make plant markers. Whether you are planting seeds, houseplants or pantry plantings, make sure you mark the pots! Otherwise you will absolutely forget which pot holds what. Take a little time to make your plant markers stylish. You will be living with them in your home for at least several months, so choose markers or make your own that fit in with the style of your decor. This is how I make my markers.

8. Sow winter seeds. You might have decided against growing sprouts indoors, but you will want to get a jump on the growing season by winter sowing your favorite annuals. Whether you saved seed from last fall's harvest, or purchased them, now is the time to break out the recyclable pots and seed trays and plant.

Contrary to rationale, planting seeds in the snow is natural. Many seeds need the thawing and freezing of winter to break through their outer shells, leaving them ripe for spouting in the spring.

To learn more about winter sowing, you can visit wintersown.org.

9. Prune your summer blooming plants. Pruning is an essential chore this time of year for your summer-blooming shrubs and trees. Pests and disease are held at bay by the cold, and you can see the full structure of the leafless plant, which helps you make accurate cuts. Cut out crossing branches, broken branches, dead wood and limbs that obstruct a view.

The most important thing to remember while pruning is to leave your spring-blooming trees and shrubs alone. They should be pruned after they bloom in late spring. Don't prune star magnolias (pictured), redbuds or dogwoods, or you will be cutting off the beautiful blooms.

10. Winter compost. It is a little bit more difficult to compost in the winter because a trek to the compost pile is a lot more unpleasant than it is in the summer. As an alternative, collect your scraps, place them in the bottom of an outdoor pot and cover with soil. When the pot is full, add to the main compost pile. Note: This is just a strategy for winter, when cold temperatures help keep critters away.

What are your chores to complete this winter in your garden? Are you making big design plans for the spring? Share your thoughts, plans and photos below!

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