What on Earth do Gardeners do in the Winter? Part 1 of 2

Hi there, Friends!

After a pretty stellar fall, we sure have had a mild winter so far, haven’t we?  It’s going to be colder this week (more like “normal,” I think), but I absolutely can’t complain! We need more rain and snow this winter to avoid the dreaded words like “drought” and “fire” this coming summer. I used to dread fall because it meant that winter was coming. I have been known to say that I think we humans should be able to behave like bears - eat ourselves silly in the fall, sleep winter away, and wake up in spring thin and rested.  

Winter is NOT my favorite season, as you may guess, but I’ve come to make peace with it.  Even at times, enjoy it.

What changed my mind? Well, it feels to me like each year goes faster, so one day I told myself to “suck it up! Spring will be here before you know it!” I don’t know why it worked, but it did! Also, I now have a list of things that keep me busy in the winter, and about the time the list is done, spring has sprung.

Here’s the list, with my commentary, of course!

What to do with your Gardener Self in Winter

Part One of Two

Rest - self explanatory, but also necessary to give yourself permission!  If Jesus went to a quiet place to rest, why should we think we shouldn’t benefit from rest?

Assess, Plan, and Research - These three really go together.

Assess -what worked in the garden last year, what didn’t? What would you change? What area would you like to tackle next? If you can, think back to what your summer sun was like (what time of day did the sun hit different areas?). This is one of the most important things to know - more on that in a later post.

Plan - consider your assessment and start making plans for the coming year. Prioritize as best as you can.

Research - This is so fun!  This can be done right along with the planning and assessing.

• Sign up to receive garden catalogs (or just look at online catalogs) - Johnny’s Seeds, Territorial Seed Co, David Austin roses, Select Seeds.  So good! This is the eye candy!  Some companies, like Johnny’s Seeds have really valuable info regarding planting, too.

• Check out gardening books at the library for more eye candy.  Be inspired! Check out books that are more educational as well as books that have beautiful photos to inspire garden dreams! 

• Follow gardening accounts on the other side of the world on your socials! This is a wonderful thing. I follow some accounts in Australia and South Africa, where our winter is their summer. This makes for inspiration and mental “garden breaks” in real time. 

Once you’ve done your assessing, planning, and research (at least for now, since that really never ends), make a list of what seeds and plants you’d like to buy for this season, and purchase your seeds.  Selection is best the earlier you shop. I’d hold off trying to buy plants until it’s closer to planting time. 

Well, as this is getting rather long, I’ve decided to share this half now, and the second and final half in my next post. I hope to find you there!

Please, oh please, feel free to comment or send questions!  It would be wonderful to not be the only one talking.  I value your polite feedback.

Grateful for you,

Lorrie