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As I write this article, the forecast calls for this to be the season’s coldest nights. So, although I got a little fresh (chilly) air in the afternoon, I may not venture back out until the groundhog does!

Cold days often mean looking out a window rather than donning several layers and taking a walk in the frigid conditions. And, if we are at all industrious, we may dream of things to do after it warms up outside.

January is an excellent time to peruse the gardening and nursery catalogs that have been arriving in our mailboxes. (Or in email inboxes, if that’s your choice.) Chilly days are great times to sit and order seeds, plants and trees for spring planting—for dreaming of things we’d love to do once winter is past. I think of shopping from the catalog or the internet as saving gas and shopping in private, plus avoiding all the coughs, sneezes and viruses that are plentiful in the cold season.

If one bundles up and takes a long stroll or a scenic drive, there is a brand new world to discover. For example, the house through the trees you can’t see in summer, or the landscape strategically using evergreen trees to stand out from the other homes on the street in a manner it didn’t in other seasons. Also, things like statuary, stone masonry, trees with colorful berries, and perhaps a backyard waterfall may be more easily noticed for the first time on a cold, snowy day.

Some folks make a resolution as the new year commences to finally get around to landscaping their yard. It’s a bright idea—but for quite a number of folks, it was also their resolution last year or some other year. Days locked away inside provide a wonderful opportunity to get some paper and sketch out what you’ve resolved to do or at least thought about doing. (And if it becomes necessary to go outside to measure, just put on an extra layer of clothing for the cold.)

Once there’s a break above 32 degrees, consider some pruning of trees, shrubs, deadheading grasses and flowers. Dormant pruning during mid-to-late winter is the most desirable time to prune most things. (If trimming is needed for perennial shrubbery that blooms on last year’s growth, trim it right after it blooms)

If plowing or deep tilling a spot for early gardening and planting, do so as soon as the ground isn’t frozen. As a result, freezing cold nights still to come will restore conditioning to soil tilled too wet.

Cold days are also great for clearing brush and reclaiming overgrown land or fencerows. I suggest chipping the limbs instead of hauling them away. Better, if you are allowed at your location, make a brush pile to burn later. Birds and rabbits love brush piles. And after burning the wood, you’ll have a fertile, seed-free spot to do some planting.

In conclusion, as you can see, there are many things to consider, imagine and dream about. Landscaping dreams and plans to turn your place into a veritable paradise are what I challenge you to think about if you’re in hibernation like I am today. And, if you’re like me, your mind may drift to other thoughts, too.

Does your home need yard changes, shade or privacy, some improved functionality, or curb appeal? Let’s get started during hibernation!

The author is a landscaper. For feedback, he can be reached at (606) 416-3911.