Winter Planting – Checklist for Zone 8 (Printable)

A full guide to winter planting in Zone 8 from seed starting, transplants to get in the ground, harvesting, preserving, and garden maintenance. Including a free downloadable PDF for your own convenience.

Building and tools

• Maintain your garden tools by cleaning and sharpening them
• Drain fuel tanks of lawn equipment such as mowers, tillers, or chippers before storing for the winter
• Avoid placing rock salt on sidewalks and driveways as they can damage plants
• Clear spaces for future structures or garden areas 
• Keep firewood away from your home and dry, for use during winter months
• Store power tools and garden equipment out of the elements in a dry space
• Check for pests and mice living indoors to keep warm

Garden planning

• Start a garden journal to chart seed and plant varieties, and specifications they have, as well as germination and maturation rates
• Research companion plants for next seasons garden
• Sketch out or design how your garden will look for the next year, rotating crops, or placing a new trellis 
• Ensure you have seed starting equipment such as lights, heat mats, and seed trays
• Consider garden gifts for holiday occasions. A house plant, garden tools, or a homemade canned recipe are great choices
• Visit your local botanical gardens, arboretums, or nature centers to get inspiration
• Later in the winter months start preparing for your spring garden, make sure beds are ready for seedlings and transplants

All about water

• Watering needs for your will decrease as the cooler temperatures roll in and sunshine hours decrease
• Make sure outdoor faucets are covered
• Drain hoses and empty birdbaths to prevent freezing
• Water soil thoroughly before a freeze to insulate plants still growing
• Check on rainwater collection systems. Ensure the pipes are well insulated to prevent freezing

Seed needs

• Get your seed catalogs and order seeds before the one’s you want are out of stock
• Look for seed swaps in your area to diversify your garden
• Wash and sterilize seed staring containers
• Prepare seed starting areas close to sunny windows, preferrable on the southwest side of your home where it is warmest
• Start indoor seed planting

Garden clean up

• If you haven’t done so already, dump out and store any pots out of the elements so they do not freeze or crack
• Cut back dead plants to about 6 inches and add non-diseased matter to your compost pile
• Cover garden beds and bare spaces with compost
• Plant a cover crop like mustard, peas, or clover
• Add mulch to help insulate the soil and protect perennial plants
• Prune fruit and non-flowering ornamental trees, deciduous vining plants, rose bushes, and grapes
• In the late winter months, clean up and clear out garden beds, amend garden soil, and add more mulch
• Add slow-release fertilizer to your shrubs and garden beds as well as any indoor plants 
• Consider repotting indoor houseplants
• Protect trunks of young trees with chicken wire or hardware cloth
• Turn compost and cover it to prevent nutrients from leaching out with winter rains
• Start a compost pile if you have not already done so
• Dig and divide crowded bulbs
• Cover non-cold hardy annuals and perennials with light colored sheets or clothes to keep it warmer
• Clean your indoor house plant leaves
• Chop and store firewood as needed

Canning and preserving

• Harvest and preserve fall crops using your favorite recipes
• Clean and sterilize canning jars for use and discard broken or chipped jars
• Look for sales on equipment such as jars, lids, canners, dehydrators, and shelving
• Keep your root cellars and pantries clean throughout the winter months to prevent pests and rodents from coming in
• Take note of quantities your family consumes to prepare for planting more or less of a certain crop next year. For example, your family ate up the spicy peach chutney super quick, but hardly touched the zucchini relish. Plant less zucchini next year
• Enjoy your delicious, canned recipes with friends and family

Winter Planting List

Winter Harvesting List

December	January	February (if anything is left)
Arugula Beets Bok choy Broccoli Brussel sprouts Bush snap beans Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Celery Chinese cabbage Cilantro Collard greens Dill Endive Fava beans Fennel Fenugreek Green beans Kale Lettuce Mustard Onions Peas Radishes Spinach Swiss chard	Arugula Broccoli Brussel sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Collard greens Kale Lettuce Mustard Peas Radishes Spinach Swiss chard	Some Lettuces Broccoli Cauliflower Cabbage Brussel Sprouts

Want more information on winter planting? Check out our article on Winter Maintenance here.