By Jennifer Langille
While it’s tempting to cozy up under a blanket on the sofa during winter, stepping outside for some fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for your mood, energy, and overall well-being. I spend time in my garden every day in the winter – without fail. But what is there to do in a cold, frozen garden this time of year?
Here are six quick and rewarding “Five-Minute Garden Activities” to get you outside and feeling accomplished, even in winter.
1. Lightly Prune
Winter, with its lack of foliage, is an excellent time to spot broken or crossing branches on woody shrubs or small trees. Now’s a good time to cut them out. More severe pruning should be left until temperatures are above freezing, but since you can better see the plant’s structure in winter, you can make notes for springtime.

2. Turn the Compost Pile
Turning the entire compost pile can be a lot of back-breaking work! Instead – after a several mild days – drive a fork into the pile and fluff it a bit to introduce some air. A little effort goes a long way in maintaining a healthy compost heap.

3. Care for Your Feathered Friends
Give the bird feeders a good cleaning and refill them. No bird feeders? Set out simple halved citrus fruits filled with suet or birdseed, or coat a pine cone in peanut butter and roll it in birdseed. Don’t forget a shallow dish of fresh water – water sources for birds can be scarce in winter.


4. Weed
In all but the deepest of deep freezes, the soil between the cracks of brick, or from stone or gravel walkways usually remains unfrozen. Grab a bucket and take five minutes to pull out any weeds that have managed to sneak through.

5. Plan, Envision, and Dream
The bare winter landscape offers a unique opportunity to observe shape, form, and flow in your garden. After a fresh snowfall, I like to walk around and experiment with ideas for new connecting pathways or design tweaks. Take a step back and imagine what could be.

6. Make Evergreen Tea
Indigenous Peoples have used evergreen tea for generations as a decongestant, expectorant and antiseptic. Loaded with vitamin C, this tea is great for cozying up under that blanket! Collect about a cup of fresh needles – white pine, fir, spruce, cedar or hemlock (spruce tastes the best!). Avoid yew, which is toxic. Chop them up and steep in 3 cups of boiled water for a few minutes. Strain, add honey or maple syrup and sip to keep those winter sniffles at bay.

And here’s a BONUS winter activity for you!
7. Forage!
This last one will most likely end up lasting more than five minutes, but, oh, the joys of winter foraging! Head outdoors and gather:
❄️ twigs
❄️ berries
❄️ seed heads
❄️ dried leaves or grasses
❄️ pine cones
❄️ pieces of bark or moss
Create an arrangement, wind them into a wreath, or just get lost in their textures, scents and hues.

Winter doesn’t have to mean shutting the door on your garden. These quick tasks offer simple ways to find joy in nature and stay connected to your garden through the colder months. So bundle up, step outside, and let the magic of winter gardening refresh your spirit!
January 2025