During the spring and summer, you should be introducing plants to your garden that will give it two essential elements come winter: shape and colour.

You don't have to stick with the standard pine tree to create flow and shape. You can use endless varieties of evergreens such as low lying bushes and miniatures. As we all know, there is nothing quite like the beauty of a pine sprinkled with snow. You can also add white lights for a touch of pizazz.

If you're planning on planting a tree, find out if it's bark colour changes in winter. Some barks turn deep red as well as other shades once the tree has lost its leaves. Bark colour provides a beatiful contrast with the grey of winter days.

Grasses are another godsend for the winter garden. They provide movement and colour and come in various heights and shades. They're hardy plants as well, and typically rebound well once a good dump of snow has melted away.

Colour can also be found in berry bearing plants and ivy. Rosehips are another great source of colour and visual interest.

Another plant on the winter scene is the icicle pansie. As it's name implies, it an be planted in fall and will keep blooming until the first good snowfall. They'll bounce back in March, just when we need to see flowers the most.

Trees and Shrubs - water once more if ground still unfrozen 
- wrap susceptible shrubs and evergreens with burlap after freeze-up 

Annuals  - order seed catalogues 

Perennials  - mulch tender perennials 

Bulbs and tubers  - add mulch after planting bulbs to deter squirrels 

Roses  - hill roses 

Vegetables  - enjoy the last of the harvest! 

Herbs  - create and package your own herbal blends as gifts 

Lawns  - remove last of the leaves 

Patio/Container Plants   - create a holiday container for your front door with evergreens, berries and decorations 

The Gardener   - put garden gifts on your holiday wish list 

Ttrees and Shrubs  - brush snow from evergreens to prevent damage but leave ice to melt 
- water during thaws if there has been no snow 
- note the winter structure of your garden and plan to add trees and shrubs with interesting bark, shape and texture 

Aannuals  - order seeds
- start slow germinators such as begonias, geraniums 

Perennials  - order seeds and trade last season’s saved seeds with friends 

Bulbs and Tubers  - inspect those in storage for rot and discard if necessary 

Roses  - heap snow, especially around hybrid teas, for extra protection 

Vegetables  - order seeds and decide what to sow indoors 

Herbs  - be sure herbs growing indoors have the brightest light possible and shear back for renewed growth 

Lawns  - have lawnmower repaired/serviced 

Patio/Container Plants   - assess the need for new containers and find out what’s available from the latest gardening magazines 

The Gardener   - send for lots of catalogues and begin planning this season’s garden – dream big! 

Trees and Shrubs - prune out any storm damage (leave “bleeders” such as maples and birch until they have leafed out) 

Annuals - continue sowing slow starters and be sure to give seedlings the brightest light possible 

Perennials - propagate stem cuttings from plants such as geraniums, coleus and fuchsia 

Bulbs and Tubers - check stored bulbs for sprouts and if they do show growth pot up and keep in a bright location 

Roses - check for damage and prune any broken canes 

Vegetables start slow germinators such as peppers and eggplants 

Herbs  save empty seasoning jars to store herbs 
- take cuttings from indoor herbs to increase the summer harvest 

Lawns keep off your lawn when it’s frozen or wet 
- decide which fertilizers will best suit your needs this year 

Patio/Container Plants - clean and sterilize your containers ready for use