Why You Should Do Your Major Garden Shopping In Winter

If you love tending to your garden, chances are you regularly shop for new tools and other gardening essentials. After all, you don't want to start the garden season with a broken spade or risk injury by wearing old tattered gloves. Instead of waiting until the beginning of spring to upgrade your garden supplies, you'll find the best selection and get more for your money by doing your major garden shopping in winter.

To understand why the cold months may be the best time to buy, Tiffany Selvey, House Digest's Garden Editor and in-house Master Gardener, provided some insight in an exclusive interview. "When gardening season starts to pick up, it can be really difficult to find the most common tools, like long-handled shovels, rakes, and pruning shears. If you wait until you need it, you may get stuck paying a lot more for name-brand items rather than lower-priced, but good quality, products." So, as it turns out, spring isn't the best time to buy. Selvey continues, "Shopping before the growing season can give you a better selection for a lower price." 

Tools aren't the only things you can snag at a discount. "If you are lucky, you might even find some of last year's seeds super cheap." They can remain usable for up to a couple of years if you avoid common seed storage mistakes. She adds, "This can be a huge money-saver if you're buying large bags of wildflower blends or other types of ground covers, like white clover." And don't forget to check clearance racks for last year's bulbs and bare-root plants.

It may be surprising that the holiday season is actually an excellent time to find deals on gardening products — for yourself and others! "Right around Christmas is a great time to buy gardening items that might be good gifts. Things like garden chairs, totes, aprons, and decorations often go on sale before Christmas," Selvey states in her exclusive interview with House Digest. Don't quit shopping when the Christmas lights stop twinkling, though, because "in January, you'll likely see these products on clearance."

You might want to do your major garden shopping in winter if you have pricier products on your list. "This can also be a good time to find a great deal on larger items, like raised garden bed kits and fencing. Manufacturers are clearing out last year's stock to make room for new designs just in time for spring." 

Although you might find impressive deals on gardening essentials from big box stores like Walmart and Lowe's, you may want to broaden your winter shopping search to include locally-owned shops. Selvey explains, "Smaller hardware stores and farmer's co-ops are a great source for affordable garden tools year-round. In fact, these are often the best places to find off-brand products that are just as good as name-brand for a fraction of the price."

Preparation is the key to success for major garden shopping in winter, according to Selvey in her exclusive interview with House Digest. The first step? Make a list of items you want to add or replace for the upcoming gardening season to "get the best deal before everyone else is even thinking about planting." 

Selvey shares her personal strategy for planning ahead during the cold months, and it starts with taking stock. "I noticed that my favorite D-handle shovel was loose the last time I used it. I will definitely make sure I replace it before the affordable ones are sold out and I'm stuck paying $40 for a shovel that doesn't hurt my back!" 

Selvey continues to add to her winter shopping list by keeping an eye out for other products she intends to buy. "I know that I want to add some raised beds this year, so I'll add those to the list of items to check frequently for sales. I will also be looking for deals on drip irrigation and anything else that might save me money and time next year." For maximum savings and the best product availability, Selvey recommends taking a tip from Ol' St. Nick: Make a list and check it twice. Then, start shopping because spring is just around the corner.