It may seem like there isn’t much to do in the garden over the winter, but here are some ideas that may keep you busy. For northerners, is your snowblower ready? Do you have the gas and oil it needs, or electrical cords that aren’t frayed? Make sure you have sand or salt and snow shovels in the garage and car. Use sand on the walks to reduce slipping. It works at any temperature (salts don’t) and won’t harm plants, concrete, or asphalt. Sand and salt can be premixed together to make it easier to spread them. If you get a sticky snow, you can spray the shovel or the inside of the snowblower with a nonstick cooking spray. Calcium chloride salt is less harmful to plants than sodium chloride salt. Salt in pellet form works better than flake or rock forms. It burrows directly through the ice and finishes …