Seasoned gardeners know: planning and prepping the garden now—on frosty winter days—is not only smart, but it’s a great way to beat the winter blahs.
Winter is the perfect time to plot out your garden plan, grow some starter plants indoors and shop for seeds. And when it comes to seeds, few things are more satisfying for gardeners—especially in the dead of winter—than receiving full-color seed and plant catalogs in the mail. Browse this list of 40+ paper and online catalogs you can order (most are free).
Whether you’re a first-timer with a small project (such as container or kitchen countertop gardens) or looking to level up your garden smarts with more ambitious projects, be sure to add CPL resources to your garden toolbox. What’s more, you don’t even need to leave home: dig into our wealth of e-books and e-magazines for green thumbs while staying nice and warm indoors.
Best Fastest Growing Vegetables & Fruit For Home Garden
Bees, Butterflies and Bats, Oh My!
While you wait for those seed catalogs to arrive, read up on ways to help the environment and your garden by attracting pollinators. When you choose specific flowers and plants that attract bees (many species are threatened or endangered), butterflies (the migratory monarch is endangered) and other pollinators like bats, birds and beetles, you’re also helping to expand their habitats.
Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees, and Butterflies: Upper Midwest
Attracting Birds and Butterflies
Butterfly Gardening with Native Plants
Going Native
Choosing plants and flowers native to the Midwest and Michigan is also eco-smart. Because they’re well suited to the local climate, native plants require less watering and maintenance and are often more resistant to pesky garden pests.
The Midwest Native Plant Primer
E-magazines
Have fun browsing our collection of colorful gardening e-magazines—great sources of inspiration and practical tips to help you grow like a pro.
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