Start Planning Now for a Thriving Spring Garden

(Family Features) While winter weather puts outdoor gardening on pause in most parts of the country, the colder months offer a perfect opportunity to begin preparing for a lush garden come springtime.

With a little creativity, and some extra time spent creating a plan, you can set yourself on a path toward success before the growing season even begins.

Assess Your Space and Research Ideas
Evaluate your current garden, taking note of what worked well last season and where improvements can be made. Use this downtime to sketch an updated layout, research companion plants and decide which fruits, vegetables or flowers you want to grow next based on what did (or didn’t) work last spring.

Build an Updated Blueprint
Winter is the ideal time to upgrade your garden design and make tweaks for efficiency. Use the offseason to consider crop rotation patterns for optimal soil health as well as ways to maximize your space such as raised beds, trellises or containers. You can also make a list of materials needed for any new features you may be adding, such as an irrigation system, and map out their placement so you’re ready to build as soon as the weather allows.

Nourish the Soil
Even if the ground is frozen, you can prepare your garden beds by adding compost, leaves or organic matter in late winter, ensuring nutrients are available when spring arrives. Also remember to test your soil’s pH level now, which can help guide your fertilization plan.

Start Seeds Indoors
If you’re eager to get your hands dirty, consider starting your seeds indoors. Early seed starting gives plants a head start, allowing you to transplant stronger seedlings outdoors when temperatures warm.

Get Organized
Use the slower pace of winter to clean and sharpen your garden tools, sort through leftover seeds and make a supply checklist so you’re ready to dig in when warmer days arrive.

Find more advice to get your garden ready to burst to life in spring at eLivingtoday.com.

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eLivingtoday.com

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Last Updated on January 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Urban Gardening 101

(Family Features) Urban living and lush gardens aren’t as mutually exclusive as one might assume. In fact, it’s possible to cultivate thriving gardens in even the smallest spaces.

The first step toward creating a successful small garden space is planning. Sketching out your garden area with a clear understanding of the actual dimensions is important. This allows you to allocate adequate growing space for the vegetation you choose and prevent overcrowding.

Part of your planning should also take climate into account. If the sun reaches your garden area, knowing what time the sun typically hits matters. Some plants are poorly equipped to handle the strength of direct afternoon rays.

Other matters to consider are the soil quality and whether it is adequate to nourish vegetation. If not, you may need to excavate and refill your planting areas with nutrient-rich gardening soil. Access to water is also a concern; if you’ll be forced to water by can, avoid choosing plants that would better benefit from a thorough hose soaking.

As you begin planning the actual contents of your garden, don’t hesitate to blend edibles with beauty. Many herbs offer attractive textures and colors that can add variety to a colorful selection of flowering plants. Edible plants such as strawberries offer color from blooms (and later brightly hued fruit), as well as trailing greenery that looks pretty along the edges of potted containers.

If your goal is color, give consideration to the blooming season for your selected plants. Unless you plan to enjoy your garden for just a short season, choose a variety of plants and flowers that bloom throughout your region’s entire growing season.

Especially in the smallest garden spaces, it’s smart to make the most of vertical space. Use a trellis or other structure to encourage vining vegetation to grow upward rather than outward. Hanging baskets or buckets are ideal for inverted growth of plants such as tomatoes or peppers, and shelving or tiered plant stands are handy for creating more plant real estate in smaller garden spaces.

Beautiful gardens need not be limited to those with expansive lawns in rural communities. Though smaller in scale, urban gardens can deliver equal beauty and a surprising volume of edible bounty with proper preparation and design. Find more tips at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

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Family Features

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Last Updated on November 17, 2025 by Daily News Staff

(Family Features) A trip to visit loved ones or a holiday-themed vacation with your nearest and dearest can create magical memories, but first, you’ve got to get there. If the thought of holiday travel makes you nauseous, rest assured – a little planning and the right resources can help your festive getaway go smoother.

Overcome the hustle and bustle of the busiest travel season of the year with this expert advice.

Protect Yourself from Illnesses
The holidays intertwine with cold and flu season, meaning staying healthy on your trip is a must. Travel can be physically draining, which makes you more susceptible to common illnesses. However, some general health tips can go a long way, such as:

• Wash your hands: Between plane rides, rental cars and hotel rooms, you’re going to handle frequently touched objects in public spaces. Carry hand sanitizer and be sure to thoroughly wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water.
• Pack medications: It’s critical to pack prescribed medications, no doubt, but consider bringing along over-the-counter vitamins and cold medicine so you’re prepared for anything.
• Consult your doctor: Ask your doctor about any vaccinations you may need, especially if traveling internationally. It’s important to get all recommended shots and treatments prior to departure.

Be Prepared for Delays
Spontaneous moments are often the most memorable, but sometimes unplanned events aren’t so welcome. Because it’s nearly impossible for an entire vacation to go as scripted, consider purchasing a travel protection plan from World Nomads that includes the travel inconvenience benefit. This benefit may compensate you for unforeseen circumstances like tarmac delays or ski resort closures. Hang on to receipts that show dates and payments to make the claim process a breeze.

Overcome Jet Lag
Air travel can disrupt sleep patterns, particularly if you’re flying across multiple time zones, causing difficulty sleeping and irritability. Be mindful of caffeine and alcohol intake, which can further impact sleep patterns. Exposure to light at the appropriate times can help reset your circadian rhythm while a low-dose melatonin can produce mild sleepiness if you’re having trouble catching some Z’s.

Traveling west is easiest on your internal clock as you “gain time” heading westward; in contrast, flying east requires shifting the timing of your body clock to make up for the “lost time.” Leading up to eastward travel, try going to bed and waking up earlier.

Have a Backup Plan
You simply can’t predict everything. Standard trip cancellation coverage may only apply to specific events like unexpected illness or injury, or natural disasters. However, the optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit from World Nomads may fill the gaps. As a U.S. resident (except if you live in New York), you can add CFAR coverage when you purchase the Explorer or Epic Plan. CFAR may be particularly useful for expensive travel with non-refundable expenses (like cruises or international trips) or trips taking place during economically or politically volatile times.

For those booking multiple trips in addition to holiday getaways, the Annual Plan from World Nomads means one purchase for an entire year’s worth of protection. Trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, rental car damage and more are covered to ensure your plans aren’t ruined by the unexpected.

To find more information and a full list of what is and isn’t covered, visit WorldNomads.com and check plan documents for maximums, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
World Nomads

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