Ask an Expert – Winter Garden Planning Tips

By Utah State University Extension horticulturists | January 2, 2026

Cold winter days might keep us indoors, but now is the perfect time to plan for warmer days and gardening. Consider these tips and links from the Utah State University Extension Gardener’s Almanac.

• Peruse garden/seed catalogs to help determine new vegetable varieties to try in the garden.
• Plan out and design the vegetable garden. Consider implementing crop rotation of vegetable families to reduce disease buildup.
• Consider growing herbs and/or microgreens indoors to add fresh greens to your diet.
• Use deicing compounds sparingly to avoid salt damage to landscape plants.
• If storing bulbs, check their condition to ensure they are firm. Remove any that are soft or rotten.
• Perform routine maintenance on lawnmowers and other small-engine garden equipment.
• Sign up to become a member of the USU Botanical Gardens and receive discounts on classes and workshops, along with other special benefits.
• Look for specific gardening information at garden.usu.edu. Here you will find information on fruit, vegetable, and herb growing guides as well as tips on soil, lawn, yard, tree, shrub, and flower care. Also included are monthly tips, the basics of gardening, information on drought, events, and more.
• To combat the winter blues, now is a great time to take an Extension online gardening course and plan for the spring!