What’s a passionate gardener to do when nothing’s growing during the cold and blustery days of winter? Where do we put our creative energies? I don’t know about you, but I really miss being outside mucking around in the soil and fussing over my gorgeous horticultural delights. Of course there are always houseplants that need watering, grooming and loving attention, but it’s just not the same as digging in that rich, moist earthy-smelling soil.
During those long and seemingly endless winter days, I spend many happy hours dreaming of next year’s garden. I peruse the non-stop stream of catalogs that appear in my mailbox, draw up gardening scenarios on drafting paper, and rearrange my existing garden in my imagination at least two dozen times. I’m sure I’ll get it right and have a perfect garden this year!
When I need a break from dreaming and scheming, I go to the window and survey my land. I love to feast my eyes on the bare bones of trees—so many interesting shapes and sizes! And if I stand still for just a few minutes, a member of the resident wildlife is sure to appear. Squirrels, birds, foxes, deer--even raccoons roam my property.
On a bitterly cold and brilliantly sunny day last January, I heard a loud screeching that sounded like someone was being murdered. It turned out to be dueling male raccoons at the very tippy-top of my tulip tree. I was sure the branch would break and they would fall to their death. But no--one prevailed (i.e. outscreeched the other) and trotted off with the female, who was waiting on a nearby limb. That scene was good for a solid hour of entertainment.
When I’ve had enough of wildlife antics, I go online and cruise the web for gardening information. Winter downtime is a great opportunity to bone up. I could spend the rest of my life surfing and never run out of fascinating horticultural material. And I love stuffing all that knowledge into my brain.
Luckily, being a Master Gardener means I can attend our monthly meetings and yak it up with other obsessed gardeners. I also drop in on Second Saturday workshops at our Smedley Park Environmental Center. Who knows, I might bump into you this winter at one of our workshops. Be sure to introduce yourself!
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
January 19, 2008: Holiday Gifts & Houseplants
Learn how to care for and maintain your holiday gardening gifts and houseplants. Cost: $10
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website
