This is what my herb garden looked like at this time last year. This year has been a warm winter, and we finally got our snow four days ago. The snow is a layer of insulation for the plants. It protects the crowns of the plants from wind damage, helps to keep the plants settled in the ground, and provides the plants with an early drink as it melts off.
Late Fall is the saddest time in the garden, when the plants are dying back and have lost their promise. But, winter is a time of peace and repose, a time when the garden gathers it's resources before it springs forth again.
The garden is totally in shade this time of year, but as we move toward summer, the sun will rise further to the north each day until the garden is sunny from early morning to early afternoon. I'm looking forward to that change in light, not only to the length of the days, but to the more northerly light.
Winter is the time when I think about how the plants did last year. I read through new catalogs, and talk with my friends about plants that they've enjoyed, and I decide what new plants I'd like to try. Rebirth.
I can look out the windows this week and see that pristine view in the gardens and envision the green to come, and it gives me hope.
Comments (11)
What beautiful photos and descriptions, Buffy. I had looked at them and read your words, this morning, but needed to get going. Your herb garden looks even better than I remembered it--and I was impressed, then! You are so energetic.
Posted by Cop Car | January 24, 2006 9:21 PM
Posted on January 24, 2006 21:21
buffy how lovely your garden is. perhaps ill tidy mine up. maybe in the spring.
Posted by bod | January 25, 2006 6:01 AM
Posted on January 25, 2006 06:01
Thanks, Cop Car.
Bod, my garden is a great place to work out problems. It's satisfying to see them respond to a little tender loving care.
Posted by buffy | January 25, 2006 1:37 PM
Posted on January 25, 2006 13:37
Wow... you have a fair bit of snow there, Buffy. Nice shot - would be a bit better if you'd waited for the shadow to pass... but then, spontenaity is a part of taking pictures too.
Posted by Desiree | January 27, 2006 1:09 AM
Posted on January 27, 2006 01:09
Desiree, I tried to take all of the shots about the same time in the morning, from the same window in the mudroom. There's more shade in the winter picture because the sun is lower in the sky during the winter.
Posted by buffy | January 27, 2006 11:19 AM
Posted on January 27, 2006 11:19
Those are great pictures!
Posted by bogie | January 28, 2006 7:43 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 07:43
Wait three months and the shadow will have moved, Buffy.
Posted by Cop Car | January 28, 2006 9:02 AM
Posted on January 28, 2006 09:02
Thanks, bogie! I know they are hard to see with the quilt in the background.
Cop Car....the shadow will have moved and the snow will melt! lol
Posted by buffy | January 28, 2006 4:06 PM
Posted on January 28, 2006 16:06
It took me a while to realize that the star was not a reflection in the window, but bleedthrough from your background. Then I had to laugh.
Posted by Cop Car | January 28, 2006 5:22 PM
Posted on January 28, 2006 17:22
I can tell you get a lot more than plants from your garden.
Posted by dave | January 29, 2006 5:18 AM
Posted on January 29, 2006 05:18
I do, David. It's a great place to work off anger. It's wonderful for peaceful contemplation. It's good for melting off a little weight. Planning the plantings satisfies my aesthetic needs, and getting those suckers to grow encourages maternal instincts! *G*
I don't recall the exact statistics, but gardening appeals to a huge number of Americans. It's one of the most actively pursued hobbies in the nation. I can understand their delight.
Posted by buffy | January 29, 2006 8:40 PM
Posted on January 29, 2006 20:40