Winter gardening can be just as rewarding as the spring and summer seasons, especially in mild climates like Sonoma Valley. After more than 30 years gardening year-round, I’ve developed strategies to keep vegetables, herbs, and cover crops healthy, productive, and resilient through the cooler months.

Visit the Winter Garden and Season Extension Learning Hub

Here’s a collection of my top winter garden care tips, drawn from experience.

Table of Contents

1. Protect Plants from Frost

Even in mild winters, occasional frosts can damage tender crops like lettuce, kale, and herbs.

Tips from my garden:

Use row covers or frost blankets over raised beds.
Consider cloches or cold frames for small, valuable crops.
Water soil before frost nights—the moisture retains heat and protects roots.

2. Mulch Heavily

Mulch is a gardener’s winter secret weapon.

Why I mulch:

Keeps soil temperatures more stable
Protects root systems from freeze–thaw cycles
Suppresses winter weeds

Materials I use: straw, shredded leaves, or composted mulch applied 2–4 inches thick.

3. Maintain Soil Health

Winter is perfect for preparing soil for spring crops.

Experience tips:

Add compost to raised beds now; it continues enriching soil.
Sow cover crops (like fava beans or winter peas) to fix nitrogen.
Avoid heavy digging when soil is wet—prevent compaction.

4. Monitor Watering

Even in winter, your garden may need water, especially if rainfall is sparse.

Tips from experience:

Check soil moisture weekly; raised beds dry faster.
Water in the morning to prevent freezing overnight.
Avoid overwatering—roots in cold soil can rot.

5. Prune and Harvest

Winter is a slower season but still productive.

What I do:

Harvest greens continuously to encourage growth.
Remove dead or diseased foliage to reduce pests and disease.
Light pruning on hardy herbs like rosemary and thyme keeps plants vigorous.

6. Keep an Eye on Pests

Some pests persist in winter, especially aphids and snails.

Experience tips:

Inspect plants weekly.
Use physical barriers or handpick pests.
Encourage beneficial insects with winter-flowering plants nearby.

7. Plan and Rotate Crops

Use the slower season to plan spring planting and rotation.

My approach:

Note what grew well and what struggled this year.
Rotate crops to avoid soil-borne diseases.
Start seeds indoors for an early spring harvest.

8. Enjoy the Quiet Season

Winter gardening is less frantic and perfect for observation and reflection.

My favorite winter activities:

Try new varieties of leafy greens and root crops.
Take notes on bed performance, soil health, and crop rotations.
Maintain tools, organize seed catalogs, and prep for spring.

Final Thoughts

Winter gardening is about patience, protection, and preparation. With the right care, your garden can thrive all year, giving you fresh greens, roots, and herbs even in the coldest months. Decades of experience have taught me that a calm, attentive winter garden is the foundation for a spectacular spring harvest.

Winter Garden Care Checklist

Protection & Frost Management

Cover tender crops with row covers, frost blankets, or cloches
Water soil before frost nights to protect roots
Move container plants to sheltered or sunny spots

Soil & Mulch

Apply 2–4 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or composted mulch
Add compost to raised beds for soil enrichment
Sow cover crops (fava beans, winter peas) to fix nitrogen

Watering

Check soil moisture weekly; water only as needed
Water in the morning to avoid freezing overnight
Avoid waterlogged soil

Pruning & Harvesting

Continuously harvest greens to encourage growth
Remove dead or diseased foliage
Light pruning on hardy herbs like rosemary and thyme

Pest Management

Inspect plants weekly for aphids, snails, and other pests
Handpick pests or use physical barriers
Encourage beneficial insects with winter-flowering plants

Planning & Preparation

Rotate crops and plan spring bed layouts
Take notes on winter crop performance
Start seeds indoors for early spring planting
Maintain and sharpen garden tools

Observation & Enjoyment

Note microclimates in the garden
Track soil and plant health
Enjoy slower pace and reflection on the season

Winter Garden Month-by-Month Calendar (Sonoma Valley Style)

Here’s the calendar I use in my garden. You can build a calendar for your location and garden.

December

Harvest: kale, chard, spinach, lettuces, herbs
Protect: frost-sensitive crops with row covers or cloches
Sow indoors: early tomatoes, peppers, herbs for spring

January

Harvest: leafy greens, leeks, winter radishes, microgreens
Maintain: mulch and protect roots from cold
Sow indoors: brassicas (broccoli, cabbage) and onions for spring transplant

February

Harvest: carrots, beets, parsley, kale, chard
Maintain: check soil moisture, continue mulching
Sow indoors: early tomatoes, peppers, eggplants
Prepare soil: add compost and start planning spring rotation

March

Harvest: hardy greens, early root crops
Sow outdoors: peas, fava beans, lettuce, spinach
Transplant seedlings started indoors: brassicas, onions, leeks
Prune herbs and maintain garden structures

Notes on Ongoing Care

Inspect for pests weekly
Water moderately when rainfall is insufficient
Continue mulch management to keep soil temperatures stable

Winter Garden Care Tips: Keep Your Garden Thriving Through the Cold Months