The winter garden

Spending time in the winter garden is important and it's fun. It's where we see the bones of the garden, design is made apparent by the naked beds. I like to walk around with my garden journal in hand (you do have a garden journal, don't you?) taking notes. Hey, what else are you going to do, hide inside until the weather breaks. I look at what's gotten too big, what needs to be moved and what should be planted where in the spring.

Jotting notes and drawings help me in the spring when the crush in the garden begins.

It's a good time for pruning too, but beware; many spring blooming shrubs should not be touched until after they bloom. But deadwood can come off anything. A good pruning saw will make sharp cuts and quick work of most branches.

The new year brings with it hope and excitement for what the garden could be in the spring, but there is beauty right now, it's just harder to find. Above are shots of what's left outside, even in January. Snowdrops popping up, soft seed heads of ornamental grass, statues, barberry berries, Rudy the rooster and an Icicle pansy. If you've been reading this blog, you know the vegetable garden is still producing greens under floating row covers also.

Get out in the garden and make plans for the spring, it will be here before you know it.