Hearty Plants to Grow in Winter

The weather outside may be frightful, but it’s not too early to start planning your springtime garden or even growing indoors! Some cold-hardy varieties can be planted as soon as the ground is thawed to yield early-season greens. Additionally, some plants thrive on a blend of indoor/outdoor growing time and can be grown inside during the winter and moved outside when the weather warms up. And don’t forget seed starting, if you live in a more temperate zone, such as zone 8 or warmer, now’s the time to start your outdoor veggies under a greenhouse light so they’re ready to thrive when spring rolls around.

Keep reading to learn more about hearty plants to grow in winter!

Understanding Your Zone

Not all plants will grow well in every climate, so before you decide what to grow in winter, it’s best to understand your growing zone, or your USDA plant hardiness zone. If you don’t know your zone, click here and enter your zip code to figure it out. Once you understand your growing zone, you can better select plants for your vegetable garden and landscaping, no matter the season.

5 Winter-Hearty Plants

Most plants, when cared-for correctly in the right zone will survive the winter months, although they may appear dormant and colorless. However, here are 5 plant varieties you may want to consider growing during the cooler months.

Olive Trees

Olive trees are both beautiful and beneficial as they can both add greenery to your home and boost your health. You may already know about the benefits of the olive fruit, but what you may not know is that the olive leaf has nutritional benefits as well. Olive leaf extract can support blood health, reduce free radicals, and may support a healthy immune response.

In case you don’t live in a zone that’s conducive to growing your own olive tree, check out this Olive Leaf Extract from Gaia Herbs, these Olive Leaf Capsules from Oregon’s Wild Harvest, and these 500 mg Olive Leaf Supplements from Natural Factors.

Holly

The subject of holiday music, holly bushes are easy to grow and hardy to zones 5 or 6. In fact the holly bush is actually greener in winter, with lovely little red berries, adding color to your homescape all year long. You’ll want to plant your holly bushes in pairs and they do best when planted in the early spring.

Evergreen Trees

Evergreen trees are the classic choice when looking to add color to your yard in the frigid months. If you live in a colder zone, these are a perfect choice as they actually require a cold freeze to thrive. Before planting evergreens in your yard, consider what purpose you want them to serve and take into consideration how tall your selected plant will be when mature.

Chard & Kale

Some of the first vegetables to be harvested each year are cold-hearty greens such as swiss chard and kale. In fact, these veggies require colder temps to produce. Rich in fiber as well as vitamins A,K, and C, swiss chard and kale can be started indoors and moved outdoors in the early spring. Unlike many other greens, they are resistant to pests and can even continue to produce indoors when moved inside and kept in cool, moist soil.

What does your winter gardening routine look like? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

3 Simple, Stunning DIY Winter Crafts

Let’s be honest, for those who love a good DIY project, there is no wrong season for crafts and creativity. Still, there is something about the blustery winter months that calls for a mug of warm tea and a satisfying craft project. After the holiday decorations come down, many of us are left with bare spots on our shelves, walls, and end tables. It’s too early for the spring summer decor, but we’re so over pine trees and Santa – so how to fill in the gap?

To help you solve this home decor conundrum, we’ve highlighted 3 DIY winter craft projects perfect for whiling away a chilly afternoon. Enjoy!

Pinecone Door Hanger

Looking for winter crafts that can grace your front door once the holidays are behind you? This pinecone door hanger fits the bill perfectly. For this project you’ll need large 8-12 large pinecones (available in your backyard or at your local craft store), ribbon, and a hot glue gun.

Cut 8-12 pieces of ribbon (1.5 - 2 inch width) into 2 foot long strips before gluing each piece to the top of a pinecone. Allow the hot glue to dry completely and then gather your ribbon up, pulling the pieces to varying lengths to give your door hanger a layered look. Tie your ribbon into a tight double knot before hanging on your front door.

String Heart Yarn Cards

These adorable heart cards are a great way to keep your kiddos busy while getting their valentines crafts done early. As an added bonus, this project also helps your kids hone their sewing skills. All you’ll need for these heart cards is yarn, thick cardstock, a threading needle (large and blunt for little hands), a heart cookie cutter, a pencil, and some fun markers if using as a Valentine’s Day school card.

Trace around your heart, and punch holes around the shape before erasing your pencil marks. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end, then let your kids criss-cross the heart with the yarn, filling in the shape. Once all the holes have been filled with colorful yarn, tie off and finish up. If you want to, write “Happy Valentine’s Day” in marker for your kids to use as cards at school. These winter crafts also look adorable in frames and make great gifts for grandparents.

Yarn Pom Wreath

No winter crafts list is complete without a yarn pom project, and this creamy, white pom wreath is the perfect decor piece for the winter months. This DIY craft is easy, fun and worthwhile as the large, full wreath makes a statement on both walls and interior doors.

For this project you’ll need both white and cream yarn, a pom maker, a wreath form, and craft glue. Make your poms by wrapping them around your pom maker, regularly laying them out on your wreath to estimate how many you’ll need. You’ll want to tie on a loop of white ribbon or twine for hanging before gluing your poms into place. Be sure to vary the cream and white yarns for a layered effect.

Other DIY projects we love include making homemade soap with essential oils, or preparing for Valentine's Day early be hand-crafting DIY Valentine's Day cards for your loved ones.

What’s your favorite way to craft away the chilly winter days? Share your best winter crafts and DIY tips with us in the comments section below.

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

6 Facial Winter Skin Care Tips You Can Use!

From your nose to your toes, winter can be a brutal time for your skin. The humidity in air the seems to all but disappear, and the cold temps and chilly winds can leave your skin cracked and dry. The skin on your face is often exposed to the elements, as it can’t be covered with a hat or gloves. If you don’t take care to hydrate, your face may feel dry and the delicate skin around your nose and lips will develop painful cuts and annoying rashes.

Fortunately with a little prevention and the right products, you can keep your skin supple and nourished until spring arrives. Keep reading for 6 tips to keep your face hydrated and your skin healthy-looking this winter.

Drink Enough Water

Even though you may not be hot and sweaty, you should drink just as much water in January as you do in July. Not great at staying hydrated? Treat yourself to a fun new water bottle and take it with you everywhere you go. This won’t cure your dry skin entirely, but it’s essential for your overall health.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Believe it or not, the way you eat shows up on your face. Healthy fats in your diet can ensure that lipids surrounding your skin cells are nourished, leaving your face looking bright and supple. Boost your diet with omega-rich foods by incorporating foods like fish, flax, and walnuts.

Don’t Overwash

The oils in your skin can become depleted through hot water and overwashing. In fact most dermatologists recommend you only wash your face with soap at the end of the day, and simply use a bit of warm water in and a light moisturizer in the morning. However, if you’re feeling really greasy, use a very light cleanser to get the job done.

Use a Humidifier

You spend at least 8 hours of your day (at least you should) in your bedroom. This means that changing the air quality where you sleep can make a big difference for winter skin care. The heating process for your home dries out the air, so replenish that moisture by turning on a cool mist humidifier every night.

Buy the Right Moisturizer

From dry, to oily, to combination facial skin, different people have different needs when it comes to winter skin care. What works for one person may cause another to break out. It’s a good idea to consult with a esthetician or dermatologist and find out what skin care regimen is best for your face no matter the season.

Carry Lip Balm with You, Everywhere

Cold temps mean that your lips suffer in the winter. However, you can prevent painful cracks and chapped lips by keeping a quality lip balm on hand (like from Naked Bee!) Stash one in your purse, one in your desk, and one on your nightstand and you won’t be caught without it.

Stock Up On These Natural Moisturizers!

Winter skin care requires a quality moisturizer. Check out face cream from the Mad Hippie. This product contains natural antioxidants and active essential oils to minimize wrinkles and eliminate dry skin.

Looking for deep hydration? Then you need deep repair cream from MyChelle Dermaceuticals. Drawing on the goodness of rosehip kombucha, and black currant oil, this non-GMO moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated while eliminating wrinkle and age lines.

You can also use natural DIY soap that you make at home! Essential oils and gentle ingredients like shea butter will help hydrate your skin, even during the winter.

How do you care for your face in the dry, winter months? Share your secrets of winter skin care with us in the comments section below.

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Photo by David Cohen on Unsplash