Winter is the best time to help you really see where to focus your spring planting efforts.

Several years ago, I had the chance to talk with Suzy Bales about her book called “The Garden in Winter.” She said the best time to plan for winter color is during the spring.

The opposite holds true, too.

Because the leaves are off the trees and shrubs during winter, it makes it easy to see the “bones” of a landscape. With no greenery or flowers to distract the eye, the yard can be seen more objectively.

Taking a close look now will help you get ready for spring planting.

You can follow some of Suzy’s  advice for finding areas of the yard to add a spot of winter color. Just take a look outside any of your windows and really observe the view.

• Are there any bare areas that need filling with a flowering shrub?

Even though it isn’t even officially summer, now’s a good time to plant for winter color.

When I decided to update the landscape in the backyard, I had something in mind from an interview I conducted in late 2007.

It was just after Suzy Bales’ book, The Garden in Winter: Plant for Beauty and Interest in the Quiet Season, had hit the bookstores and I had a copy in hand.

Suzy is author of 13 gardening books and can be seen frequently on TV. She also writes for her blog called Green Thoughts.

She wrote “The Garden in Winter” to help gardeners learn how to create a beautiful landscape even in the dead of winter. I was impressed with the idea of planning ahead to have some color in the garden in winter.

During the interview she said, “Winter is when we need color the most, but it is the season least planned and planted for color.”