Garden Planning - What you can do In January to prepare for Spring
January is the perfect time to start planning your garden and plants in the spring to ensure you're not scrambling last minute when the time comes to start finding and planting your seeds. You have ample time to pick out your plants, and get those started that have longer growing seasons. It's also nice to think of warmer and sunnier days coming up.
Thoughtful planning in January (and early season) will help lead to stronger plants, fewer mistakes, and a garden that feels exciting (not overwhelming) once spring arrives.
Here are some tasks that it is a good idea to do ahead of time while there's still lots of time to help prepare for a successful spring garden.
1) Reflect on last year’s garden (before you plan a new one)
Before jumping into new ideas, take time to look back and ask yourself:
What grew really well?
What struggled or failed?
Which areas dried out too fast or stayed too wet?
What felt like too much work by mid-summer?
January is perfect for honest reflection because emotions from last season have settled. This is where you improve—not by adding more plants, but by making better choices.
Write it down. Even a short list will help guide smarter decisions later.
2) Define your garden goals for the coming season
Now decide what you want from your garden this year. Some common January goals include:
Growing more of your own food
Reducing watering and maintenance
Adding colour or cut flowers
Creating space for kids or pollinators
Simplifying and downsizing problem areas
Be realistic about your time and energy. A smaller, well-planned garden almost always outperforms a large, rushed one.
3) Assess your space (without stepping outside)
You don’t need to be outside to evaluate your garden.
From memory—or photos—you can note:
Which areas get full sun, part sun, or shade
Where the wind is strongest
Low spots where water pools in spring
Areas that warm up early vs. stay cold longer
4) Plan your planting timeline (before spring feels rushed)
January is the best time to create a simple planting schedule.
Use the dates on your seed packets for a quick reference to determine when seeds should be started.
5) Order seeds and supplies early (strategically)
January is prime time for seed ordering—but not impulse buying.
Order:
Seeds with limited availability
Trusted varieties you rely on every year
Anything you plan to start indoors
Hold off on:
Over-ordering “just in case”
Buying plants that don’t fit your space or goals
Planning first means fewer wasted seeds and less frustration later.
6) Learn now so spring feels easy
January is the best month for education.
Use this time to:
Learn proper seed-starting techniques
Understand soil basics
Research pruning, spacing, and plant care
Watch or read content specific to prairie and Zone 3 gardening
Planning in January is about creating confidence and being organized for when it's time to start our seeds and plant our gardens. The goal is to be prepared for when Spring arrives.