GROW WITH THE FLOW

Nine fun ways to fuel your favorite hobby even in winter.

- Emily Hannemann

The yard might be snow-covered and the air a bit chilly, but you can still use your green thumb. For nature lovers, January, February and early March often spark impatience, but fret not— we’ve got you covered with gardening activities to pass the time until the ground thaws.

1 Be Scrappy

Wait, don’t throw out that carrot top! Many veggies and herbs—carrots, celery, ginger, potatoes, peppers, basil, radishes and more—are comeback champs, as long as you keep the right part of the plant (usually either the top or the seeds inside) to stick back in the soil. If you feel the need to do a little research on the subject before plunking that radish top into the dirt, you’ll find plenty of books and online materials on the subject. And best of all, it’s a zero-risk activity: There’s nothing to lose if no sprouts form, but you’ll have much to gain if they do.

2 Find Treasures

Even if it’s covered in snow, your yard provides a great pastime: wreath-making. Head outside and grab red dogwood and a few birch branches—and some berries from the garden or a craft store—to construct a nifty, one-of-a-kind decoration that makes a great conversation piece or holiday present. To make the final product even more eye-catching, add a few dried flowers from last summer’s garden.

3 Try a Mushroom Kit