1. Keep feeding the birds. Birds need help more now because they have depleted much of the seeds and other foods from the wild. If you train them to return to your yard, they will bring their offspring later, and will return the favor by eating slugs, grubs and other garden pests. For a variety of birds, leave out a variety of foods. The Wild Birds Forever site has a nice chart of bird foods and what types of birds can be attracted: http://www.birdsforever.com/chart2.html
2. Purchase or make a monthly calendar. Any calendar with daily space to write notes on will work. Write down what you need to do each month, including preparing the soil, seeding, planting plants, purchasing supplies, making garden projects.
3. Go through your leftover seeds from last year and take inventory. Many of them may still be viable, and this will reduce your costs this year. Order seed catalogues if you haven't done so. They have valuable and interesting information in them, as well as pictures to help you decide on your 2000 garden.
4. Start a garden journal. There are many places, including stores where things can be purchased for $1.00, which sell blank books. Start your journal now: record temperatures, other weather, what and when you started seeds and planted plants, anything pertinent to gardening and nature. Write in critiques on different varieties of plants that worked or failed in your garden. Put your own experiences in it. I recorded the first time I saw a hornworm caterpillar with parasitic wasp eggs on it-- a wonderful sight! This journal can be referred to for years to come, and can be not only a guide to better gardening but a great memory book.
5. Draw up your garden plot(s), either on the computer or on paper. Be sure to make extra copies. Take your list of plants and "place" them in your plot.
6. Keep tending to anything tender that was brought indoors for the winter, such as lemon verbena. Plants which have gone dormant need a little water and sun. Soon it will be bursting with color and aroma!
7. Plan for a garden structure. The picture above is a birhouse on a teuteur I built last year for my garden. Structures, whether it is a functional trellis or a beautiful gazing ball or a birdbath, will add interest and a focal point for your garden.
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