Hello fellow Earthlings and season’s greetings to all. As the days shorten and gardening time decreases due to snow or cold, or we just find ourselves too preoccupied ensuring other family members enjoy a wonderful holiday season, take some time out for yourself to think about your garden – take a stroll out to your kitchen drawer where those catalogs we never read during growing season are stored and take a stroll back there together!
As we enter this season of celebrations, thoughts turn towards Turkeys, Menorahs, Christmas trees, and twinkling lights. I find that when I need some alone time during these trying times, having plants, tools or catalogs handy reminds me of warmer weather and peace found in gardens. Reading catalogs also provides me with a great opportunity to create my wish list so Santa knows exactly what I might need for spring. Simply the thought of using my new A.M. Leonard hoe or pruning fruit trees with my brand new Felco pruners from Smith Hawken has me questioning why more people don’t garden. Subtle hints are easy with catalogs; simply place an open book around with red circles marked around items you think “Santa” should know about.
Jackson and Perkins rose catalog is another favorite of mine. I like visualizing what new additions might come to my garden and employing this same strategy on Santa (or one of his elves) when they see my open catalog. Christmas time can be so exciting! There’s nothing better than finding out that luxury item you had been longing for just appeared at your doorstep or under your tree!
While weather and time constraints prevent us from enjoying our passion, colorful catalogs provide a soothing reminder of all that the garden can provide us. Winter garden visits may also prove worthwhile if time allows. Bundle up and visit your garden to observe how things are sleeping! As spring begins to unfold, I like taking time out to daydream of bulbs peaking through the mulch layer and promising early spring colors, or of the vibrant blooms on blooming fruit trees. This time of year is when many non-plant related gardening tasks get completed successfully. Sharpening tools, tuning up our mower and sharpening its blades, as well as organizing seeds and seed starting material are all enjoyable projects, yet are often neglected during warm weather when gardens beckon us to come outside and play.
Winter is the season when we can most appreciate our efforts from the previous growing season. There’s nothing more satisfying than serving a holiday meal featuring dried herbs from our gardens or frozen marinara sauce made from homegrown tomatoes – delicious testaments of what can be achieved when gardening successfully! Gardens make for great conversation starters when guests ask about the delicious flavor of your pasta sauce. Reminiscing or romanticizing about how big your tomato plants were that produced this sauce can make a lovely narrative about life in your garden and creating wonderful sauce. These conversations inspire thoughts of summery weather, relaxed afternoons in the sun, and sipping lemonade no matter the temperature outside. I absolutely adore hearing people imagine an idyllic garden filled with healthy foods and colorful blooms even when it’s icy cold outside! Not to forget my favorite time of year? Next time we will discuss some helpful tips for getting your garden tools prepared for next season. Until then, here’s wishing all of us Happy Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and an incredible real millennium celebration; be safe and happy – I hope to see you in the Garden in twenty-first century!
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