logo
logo
  • Flowers & Plants
    • Plant Guide
    • Combos
    • Designing With
    • Bird- & Butterfly-Friendly
  • Vegetables
    • Edible Plant Guide
    • Getting Started
    • Herbs
    • Tips
    • Tomatoes
    • In the Weeds
  • Design Ideas
  • Containers
  • How To
    • Start Seeds
    • Plant
    • Water & Feed
    • Prune
    • Divide
    • Deal with Pests
  • Projects
  • Garden Plans
    • Entries
    • Bed & Borders
    • Wildlife Friendly
    • Decks & Patios
  • Magazine
  • Reviews
    • Gardening
    • Outdoor Living
    • Outdoor Tools
    • Plants
Our content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Outdoor Living

3 Winter Gardening Essentials That Make Tending to Your Plants Easier

Last Updated: Aug 4, 2024
By: Garden Gate Review Team
Photo of a young woman taking care of her rooftop garden on the balcony over the city, on a beautiful autumn day
View all Contents
  • Essential Item #1: A Garden Tote
  • Essential Item #2: Plant Covers
  • Essential Item #3: A Heated Propagator
  • Conclusion

Gardening in the winter is a great way to stay connected with the outdoors while avoiding much of the heat. With the right winter gardening essentials, you can easily tend to your plants even when the temperatures drop. In this post, we’ll go over the three winter gardening essentials you should have on hand to make caring for your garden easier.

From winterized coverings to temp-control products, these tools will ensure your plants have the best chance of surviving the chilly weather. So, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, everyone’s plants are sure to benefit from this list of winter gardening essentials.

Essential Item #1: A Garden Tote

A garden tote is a durable bag designed with gardening in mind to store all your supplies in one convenient location. In colder climates and throughout the winter months, temperatures can drastically drop during the night and cause damage to your tools if they are not properly prepared. A garden tote will provide a safe and secure place to store your winter gardening tools, such as gloves, pruners, and tarps, so you’ll have everything you need on hand to care for your plants during the winter season.

Garden totes typically come in canvas or plastic materials and vary in size. They’re generally lightweight, so they can be easily carried around your garden without any strain on your arms or back. You can find garden totes at local gardening centers, nurseries, and home improvement stores.

Essential Item #2: Plant Covers

Plant covers are specifically designed coverings that are placed on top of plants to protect them from frosty temperatures and potential damages caused by heavy snowfall or strong winds. Not only do plant covers protect from cold temperatures, but they also help maintain moisture levels in soil beds which is important when bringing new plants to life in the winter months. Plant covers act as insulation for your plants and help increase airflow around them which can be beneficial when temperatures start warming up again outside towards springtime.

Covers vary in material, ranging from plastic to burlap and fleece coverings. They also come in many different sizes, so you can find one that fits plants just right. Plant covers are found at most home improvement stores, nurseries, or online marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay.

Essential Item #3: A Heated Propagator

A heated propagator is a device that creates a warm environment for seeds to germinate and thrive during harsh weather conditions, such as the cold winter months. Growing plants in winter can be difficult because of the low temperatures, but with a heated propagator, seedlings will grow much more quickly than normal thanks to its built-in heating element, which will maintain an ideal germination temperature of 15-20 degrees Celsius (60-68 degrees Fahrenheit). The heated propagator also helps keep out harmful pests and diseases which might otherwise damage seedlings before they have had time to develop their roots properly.

Heated propagators typically come in plastic construction with adjustable trays and shelving, so you can find the perfect size for what you need. In addition, the propagator is usually electric-powered, so it must be plugged into an existing outlet or power source to function properly. You can find heated propagators at local gardening centers or online shops like Amazon or eBay. You’ll have various models available, ranging from basic models up to larger professional-grade devices. Select the one that works best for you,  depending on your budget and needs for your winter garden projects!

Conclusion

Winter gardening can be a challenging but rewarding experience. With the right winter gardening essentials, you can keep your plants healthy and thriving even in the chilliest climates. A garden tote, plant covers, and heated propagators are some of the essential items that make tending to your plants easier in winter. These items can help protect your plants from the cold, provide insulation, maintain moisture levels in the soil, and even speed up germination times. With these three winter gardening essentials, your winter garden will flourish and bring you a lasting sense of satisfaction and joy.

Article Contributors

Garden Gate Review Team

The Garden Gate Review Team is a group of writers, editors, and gardeners, dedicated towards writing trustworthy product reviews that'll help you choose the best products for a beautiful garden and backyard.

Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.

Please reach out to aimperiapt@gmail.com with any questions regarding product testing or specific articles.

Read More About Garden Gate Review Team Here
Gardening Apparel
Retire Your Shovel: 3 Reasons To Try No-Till Gardening Want To Start Flower Gardening? Here’s Everything You’ll Need Simple Gardening Tips for Improving Your Plants’ Health
2143 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
1-800-341-4769
  • Subscription Questions
  • Submit A Tip Or Question
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Reviews
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Active Interest Media Holdco, Inc.© 2025 Garden Gate Magazine All rights reserved.