As winter settles in and landscapes need less tending, gardeners look ahead. On chilly days it’s fun to cozy up on the couch with a computer and a pile of seed and plant catalogues. Thumbing through page upon page of plant offerings helps drive away winter blues.

December and January are ideal months in which to order plants, particularly cool season performers that will be planted early for spring blooms or harvest. Many easy-to-grow, long-lasting varieties sell out quickly, so it’s best to have a clear idea about what you need. Always select plants that will thrive despite predominantly alkaline soil and unpredictable weather.

Some reliable bulbs will tolerate winter planting in North Central Texas, such as snowflakes, grape hyacinths, species tulips and late season daffodils. Snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum) are among the most dependable bulbs for the area. They tolerate clay soils, drought and moist winters. Snowflakes bloom anytime from late February through March, so if they are not in the ground long enough, it may be a year before their long-lasting white, bell-shaped flowers appear.

Grape hyacinths (Muscari) are tiny flowering plants that are perfect at the front of the border, used as edging or naturalized. They produce small, blue bloom spikes in early spring. Species tulips (Tulipa clusiana varieties), unlike traditional hybrid tulips, sometimes perennialize. They must be planted as soon as received. Pre-chilled daffodils (Narcissus), often called late-season daffodils, may establish and bloom if planted promptly in early January. These include jonquils and tazettas.

Several annual flowers thrive when direct sown in the garden in late February to March. Larkspur is a cool season favorite that reliably reseeds. By April, you will have colorful blue, white or pink flower spikes. Poppies, also reseeding annuals, love chilly soils. Scatter seed for spring blooms; color depends upon variety. Bachelor’s buttons, also known as cornflowers, (Centaurea cyanus) are exceptionally cold hardy and simple to grow. In cool weather, they produce classic blue flowers. Annual phlox (Phlox drummondii) is an early blooming Texas native with red, pink or white bloom clusters. Annuals may also be started indoors and transplanted into the garden after all danger of frost is past.

When it comes to cool season crops, timing is everything so order seeds now to ensure they are ready for planting during their optimal times. According to Texas AgriLife Extension, these seeds can be planted directly into garden beds as the soil warms through spring: (Feb./March) beets, carrots, leaf lettuce, mustard/turnip greens, radishes, spinach and (Feb./mid-April), Swiss chard. Warm season crops are planted later in spring, typically after the last frost (mid-March) after soils warm to about 65 degrees. These include beans, corn, cucumbers and okra with black-eyed peas, squash and melons planted April to May.

Many vegetables can be started from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, but the AgriLife Extension recommends purchasing transplants for heat-sensitive crops like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants to ensure they set fruit before intense summer heat. If starting them from seed, do so indoors well in advance of expected planting time.

Ordering in early winter ensures the best selection of varieties well adapted to Texas soils and climate and allows for proper timing of winter and early spring sowing/planting. The reward is extended blooms and harvests. Exploring seed and bulb catalogues, both printed and online, is more than a pastime, it’s the first step toward shaping a vibrant, resilient spring garden.

Written and Photographed by LGMG Phyllis Webster