WINTER GARDEN PLANNING: HOW TO SET YOUR SPRING GARDEN UP FOR SUCCESS
Why now is the perfect time to think ahead (even if everything outside is frozen)
There’s something I love about winter garden planning.
It feels quiet, intentional, and—honestly—deeply satisfying to know you’re setting yourself up for a calmer, more abundant spring.
And before we jump in, I want to say something I don’t say often enough:
Thank you. Truly.
Being part of your gardening world means a lot. I’ve poured my heart into every corner of this business, and knowing you’re here, learning and growing with me, is something I don’t take lightly.
Winter is when the real foundations of easy gardening begin—not outside, but at the kitchen table with a mug of something warm and a list of seeds you’re thinking about ordering.
This is the work that makes everything simpler later.
Here’s the thing about winter garden planning:
If you rely only on what garden centers have available, you’ll miss two of the most productive seasons for Michigan gardens—spring and fall.
Garden nurseries only sell transplants when it's profitable for them, not when it's actually the right planting time for cool-season vegetables.
That means if you only shop in May and June, you’re skipping huge opportunities.
And yes—I still love a good transplant. They save time. They simplify a lot.
But seeds? Seeds open doors you didn’t even realize you were missing.
More control.
More options.
More value.
More access to plants you can’t find at a nursery.
This is the part I wish someone had told me early on.
Why Ordering Seeds & Planning in Winter Matters
Here are the reasons I’ve shifted toward seeds:
Nursery timing ≠ garden timing.
They sell in their retail window, not in the planting window that actually works for early spring or fall crops.
Cool-season gardening disappears if you rely on store transplants.
Lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, cilantro… you’ll miss all of it.
Seeds are selling out earlier every year.
I used to order in January. This year, things were selling out in December.
My go-to seed sources this year:
MIgardener (Port Huron — local, great prices, lots of variety)
Baker Creek (amazing quality)
Fedco
Pinetree Seeds
And here’s the best part:
You don’t need an indoor seed-starting setup to get started.
Many crops must be direct-sown:
Carrots
Spinach
Peas
Cilantro
Radishes
Dill
So even without grow lights, you can grow a huge part of your garden from seed.
Thinking in Terms of Garden Value (The Tip I Wish I’d Learned Earlier)
This is the concept that completely shifted how I plan gardens—for myself and for clients.
Not all crops offer the same return on time and money.
Imagine just one square foot of garden space:
It can grow 1 kale plant
Or 4–9 lettuce plants, depending on the variety
If transplants cost around $4 each:
One square foot of kale = $4
One square foot of lettuce = $16–36
That’s a huge difference.
And that’s why seed starting matters.
Fast-growing, short-lived crops—like lettuces, bok choy, radishes, arugula—are perfect to grow from seed.
They're inexpensive, quick, and incredibly satisfying.
When I design gardens for clients, I always blend transplants and seeds so they get the best value from every square foot.
This is where gardening stops being “put a few plants in and hope for the best” and becomes something that truly supports your kitchen and your life.
Your Winter Garden Checklist
If you only do a few things over winter, let it be these:
Look at your spring layout
Decide what you want more (or less) of
Order your seeds early
Plan which crops will be grown from transplants vs. seeds
Download your planting guide so you’re not guessing in March
Simple. Manageable. And incredibly effective.
Winter planning isn’t busywork—it’s how you create a garden that actually feels good to tend in spring.
When you plan now, you avoid:
The frantic May rush
The disappointment of sold-out transplants
The confusion of “what should I plant when?”
The missed opportunity of spring and fall crops
You deserve a garden that gives back more than it takes.
And winter is your chance to make that happen in a low-stress, grounded way.
If you want a clearer, simpler way to approach the entire growing year—without guessing—I’d love to invite you to my free class:
🌱 Stop Guessing: The Keys to Growing Easy Veggies with Confidence
Inside, you’ll learn:
How to design a garden setup that’s actually easy to maintain
Which crops to grow from seed vs. transplant
The timing tricks that make gardening smoother
Simple steps to take now so spring feels effortless
✨ Watch the free masterclass here.
Winter is the season of clarity.
Let yourself plan from a place of intention this year—and your spring garden will thank you.