Get Ready for Spring Planting in Winter

01From VOA Learning English, this is the Health and Lifestyle Report.

02In many parts of the world, winter brings cold temperatures, and in some places, snowfall.

03For people who like planting things, gardening may seem far away.

04However, during winter weather, there are still things a gardener can do to prepare for the spring.

05Gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently wrote about such preparatory tasks for the Associated Press.

06We can also call these tasks prep work.

07First, let's talk about seeds.

08If you have seed packets, she suggests checking their expiration date.

09That is the date by which they go bad, or will not grow.

10Damiano says the seeds are usually considered fresh within a year of being packaged.

11But they can be used for longer than that.

12However, you cannot be sure if the seeds are still good just by looking at a date.

13She suggests testing them.

14To do this, she places several seeds on a wet paper towel, and then puts that into a plastic container.

15In about 10 days, she will look to see how many seeds have sprouted.

16This gives her an idea of how many seeds to use to get the desired number of plants.

17However, if less than 50% of the seeds sprout, she throws them away.

18Damiano tests her old seeds in the winter, before the busy spring gardening season.

19That is when seed and plant stores, or nurseries, can run out of seeds.

20She also inspects her gardening equipment.

21For example, if you use grow lights, lights especially made for plants, make sure they still work.

22You might have to buy new bulbs.

23Damiano brings out her grow lights and inspects each bulb.

24If necessary, she will order replacement bulbs.

25That way, she is prepared to plant at any time, even 6 to 8 weeks in the future.

26She also makes sure she has sterile, seed-starting potting mix.

27This is special soil for planting in containers.

28Damiano sharpens her cutting tools, such as pruning shears.

29Larger tools, like lawnmowers, should be inspected every year.

30Like nurseries, places that service lawn equipment might be busier in the spring.

31You can get ahead of the crowd by getting your tools fixed early.

32Clean your gardening hand tools, like trowels and spades.

33Cover them lightly with oil.

34This will keep them in good working order.

35Inspect things like hoses, sprinklers, and other water systems for damage.

36Make a list of anything you may need to replace or repair.

37Damiano says that you could wait until spring to take care of all these things.

38But why?

39Once spring arrives, you will have these tasks done.

40And that's the Health and Lifestyle Report.

41I'm Ana Mateo.