Buried in Snow
Winter Storm
Snow started at midnight while we were all asleep and kept falling all day until it reached three feet. The bitter cold desiccated the snowflakes, whose tiny ice crystals covered the earth in a thick, but light and powdery blanket.
This belated winter wonderland is quite beautiful, and its airy snow offers essential protection for the plants against the harsh cold that accompanied it.
It will be freezing all week, with nighttime temperatures ten degrees below zero and daytime temperatures frequently in the single digits, meaning the snow will likely stay on the ground for some time.
The also predicts we are going to get quite a few heavy snow showers before the end of winter.
I'd like to take this time to express my sadness that this will be their final year of publishing. Why, Farmers' Almanac? Why? Please don't go!
We haven't had a winter storm like this in years. It is not strange for January; it's just that with the climate warming, we're not used to experiencing it anymore.
Garden lore holds that tough winters are succeeded by scorching, dry summers. I guess we're all going to find out if that is true.
What to Do While Cooped Up Indoors
What is a gardener to do in this weather?
First, tend to the indoor plants. A lot of them come from the Southern Hemisphere, meaning their peak growing season occurs during winter. Regular watering and a bit of fertilizer will bring out the best in them.
Don't forget that indoor winter air is extremely dry, so you may have to mist your plants regularly if they show signs of drying out. Repotting plants that are stunted or root-bound will help them thrive again.
Now is an great time to look for seeds and young plants and to plan out your garden on paper. It's not too early to buy plants, if you're so inclined. The nurseries always ship seedlings at the correct planting time.
A garden plan is helpful for preventing overcrowding, respecting plant heights, and keeping a cohesive color palette.
The eye is always bigger than the space available in the flower border.
Next, savor the rewards of your hard work: if your garden was plentiful last summer, relish it by making fragrant teas and crafting tasty meals with your preserved vegetables, enhanced by your homegrown herbs and spices.
Finally, embrace the quiet period, with its snow-covered scenery and crisp air: summer will arrive before you know it, and each season has its own unique beauty.
Potted Bulbs
A little spring bulb shortcut that always worked for me is buying potted bulbs in winter, having them bloom indoors and planting them outside when the soil thaws.
They have an entire year to settle into their spot after that, and are less likely to get eaten before their next blooming time.