What to Do at the Cottage in Winter: Useful Tips 0 4

While the frost crackles outside, you can see your familiar plot in a new light, think about future plantings, engage in repairs, and restore your strength after the urban hustle. Experienced gardener Pavel Pakhomov shared what specifically will require your attention.

Conduct an Inventory — From the Shed to the Seeds

Winter is the perfect time to check everything on your property without haste. Inspect your tools, repair shovels and pruners, check if the plumbing is freezing, and replace window seals. Sort through your seeds, deciding which to keep and which to update. This winter audit will eliminate spring panic when everything needs to be done at once. You can also make a shopping list along the way — from fertilizers to new gloves.

Prepare the Soil for Spring

If there is a lot of snow — don’t hesitate to redistribute it. Move snowdrifts from paths to the beds: the melting water will serve as excellent natural irrigation. You can spread ash, compost, and dry leaves directly on the snow — over the winter, they will partially decompose and improve the soil structure. And if there is a thaw, it’s the perfect time to outline future beds or flower beds.

Repairs and Updates

Cold is not a reason to be inactive. Check the roof, shed, and greenhouse — it’s better to do minor repairs now, while there is no spring rush. If there is a stove or fireplace in the house — inspect the chimney and clean the pipes. In winter, it is especially pleasant to fix what was postponed in summer — it gives a sense of control and satisfaction. Try to modernize something: build new shelves in the shed, insulate the attic, replace old hinges on the gates. Even small improvements significantly simplify life on the plot and create a sense of coziness.

Protecting the Garden and Home: Packing Snow and Fighting Rodents

In winter, the most practical thing is to protect trees and the house from rodents. "In the garden, pack the snow around the trunk every couple of weeks: wide 'paths' of dense snow prevent mice from reaching the bark and reduce root freezing. Make a mound with a radius of 50–70 cm, but do not press the snow tightly against the bark to avoid provoking rot. Protect young trees with a galvanized wire mesh or perforated plastic that is 1–1.2 m high. It is useful to refresh the whitewashing of the trunk (lime + copper sulfate) — this reflects the sun and reduces the risk of frost cracks. Do not place fresh organic matter, such as food waste, under the snow — it invites mice," says the expert.

In the house and outbuildings, start with preventive measures against mice and rats: close all gaps larger than 5 mm with metal mesh or steel wool (foam alone will not help), and install seals on doors. Store animal feed, seeds, and grains in metal/glass containers with tight lids to keep pests away. "Additionally, outside: remove weeds and piles of boards, elevate firewood on pallets, and clean the porch of crumbs and bird feed — this deprives rodents of a 'dining room.' Regularly inspecting tracks in the snow, characteristic gnaw marks, and droppings will help you understand where to strengthen protection," explains the experienced gardener.

Engage in Decor and Comfort

In winter, the cottage reveals itself differently: soft light, silence, the smell of wood. Add coziness — place candles (keeping fire safety in mind), hang garlands, bring soft blankets, and arrange old books. You can set up a winter tea corner with a samovar or a stove. In winter, the house becomes not just a shelter, but a place of strength — it feels so good to breathe fresh air and then wrap yourself in a blanket and listen to the crackling of the firewood. This simple ritual helps to savor life and fills you with inner peace.