Although our gardens may be down for a long winter’s nap, that doesn’t mean gardeners should enter complete dormancy. Considering new gardening possibilities and challenges offers mental engagement in winter. Check out my book recommendations by Midwestern garden authors below to open your mind to new ideas for the upcoming year!

Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees: Gardening Alternatives to Nonnative Species by Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz

Adelman and Schwartz encourage gardeners to reach beyond many of the nonnative woody ornamentals commonly offered in garden centers and consider native plants instead. Midwestern native plants support our pollinators and other wildlife. They are adapted to our climate, so they usually require less maintenance and are exceptionally hardy.

A great book to take to the garden center, Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees is organized so you can look up any woody plant in question and find recommended native plants with similar ornamental and cultural attributes, along with a description of their ecological benefits and some fun facts. The photography is extensive but not overly polished, aptly showcasing the simple beauty of native plants in real-life landscapes.

Growing the Midwest Garden by Edward Lyon

An overall guide to techniques and plant selections for the Midwest may sound like a daunting read, but savvy and stylish horticulturist Ed Lyon, director of Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa, has always been known for putting his own unexpected twist into garden spaces, and this gardening guide reflects his casual and fun-loving style. Although this book is packed with knowledge and photos gleaned from Ed’s decades working in public gardens in the Midwest, Ed’s friendly tone makes it an approachable read and a good book for beginning gardeners. His compendium of plant recommendations is a no-nonsense resource for gardeners seeking information on a plant’s true performance in our climate.

Vintage Wisconsin Gardens: A History of Home Gardening by Lee Somerville

When I’m seeking to explore my gardening roots, whether to interpret a traditional garden style or rediscover tried-and-true flower varieties, I reach for this book that describes the history and evolution of garden styles and trends in Wisconsin since the mid-1800s. Excerpts from the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society’s publications between 1869 and 1930 yield detailed insights to what home gardeners concerns and interests were at the time and remind us how cyclical trends are. Victorian-era gardeners in Wisconsin loved flashy tropical plants, just as today’s urban condo dweller seeks bold tropicals for a low-maintenance, instant-impact balcony garden. Looking back at historical gardens yields both perspective and inspiration for today.

Winter can be a time of lethargy as we gaze out the windows at our snowy gardens. However, focusing on reading and brainstorming for the upcoming season can help pass the time, lift our spirits, and ensure that when our spring gardens are ready to burst into action, we are too!

—Erin Presley is a horticulturist at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²

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Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.

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Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner

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Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2" (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. "Grow Your Own" Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.

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A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

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MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

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