What a week! Balmy, wintry, snowy, rainy, sleety—I just hope my plants stay dormant rather than suffer through this weather whiplash. I won’t add any more planting tasks to my list, even if the weather is enticing. I know it will be cold again. I think it is best to keep your gardening eyes indoors on your houseplants and dream about the outside for a few more weeks.
One way to dream is to choose a few flowering plants that have been forced to bloom now. I think “coerced” might be a better term. Flowering spring bulbs, hellebores, and primroses would all survive and thrive outdoors in our climate but wouldn’t usually bloom now in the landscape. Greenhouses (and avid gardeners) grow these plants and bulbs in a greenhouse in December. After a chilling period, they are brought into a warm, brightly lit place to bloom—not so painful for them, right? You can enjoy them now inside and dream about where to plant them in your gardens in May or June!
I love the sweet fragrance of hyacinth and primrose. But don’t forget herbs. Herbs like oregano, mint, basil, rosemary, or parsley will grow on a windowsill, too. Fresh snips of herbs added to soups, salads, and entrees will lift your recipes out of the winter doldrums (and maybe you, too). Harvesting stems will also keep your plants healthy and growing. Come May, your herbs can be added to containers for outside or planted directly in the garden after hardening off.
Are you overwhelmed by seed catalogs? I think seed purveyors were the first true masters of marketing. Beautiful photos or enticing imagery-laden descriptions have ensnared many a gardener over the decades. However, just like taking a trip to the grocery store: 1) Don’t read your vegetable seed catalog when you’re hungry; 2) Don’t start combing through the pages unless you have a well-considered list. I have read incredible descriptions of flowers, colors, disease-resistance, and plant productivity then struggled to find a suitable growing spot for this “miraculous” seed. As a result, the seed may never be planted. Not so miraculous. Review your vegetable garden wins and losses. Consider planting things that take more rain as well as things that need less so at least something will survive. You may wish to avoid seeds and purchase specific plants if you have limited space. It is still worth planning now when you have the time.
Now is also the time to step back and think about your growing conditions. Would you like certain areas to drain better? Plan to amend the soil in that area with compost, and perhaps add topsoil to eliminate low areas. Would you like more areas that stay moist through the summer? How can you adjust the soil or add shade to that area? To increase soil moisture, add compost and provide some shade through a group of shrubs or small trees. Shady areas will retain moisture longer. Or install a ground cover that needs less water than lawns. You may need to irrigate more in the first few years, but the plantings will mature and moisture will increase.
A new year means nothing and everything. We can continue as usual or not. As a lazy gardener, I love the time of reflection that January and February bring to me as a gardener in New England. Do I make resolutions? Not really, but I like choosing to do something new each year. It could be big, like starting to write a weekly column—yikes! Or it could be small, like choosing one shrub to fill a hole.
This year is about the shrub. I still need to do research, but I have the time for this small goal. I want to fill a spot at the front corner of my house, and it gets full, mostly morning sun. Many shrubs will grow happily in those conditions. Rainwater spills off the roof nearby and the soil is pretty good garden soil. I want something native that will feed and shelter birds and still be ornamental. Four seasons of interest would be great. I don’t mind pruning, but I don’t want to fight the growing tendencies of the plant just to make it fit my location.
As a companion to that future shrub, I have a lovely large rhododendron, but I don’t need another one. Besides, I think the target planting location gets too much midday sun for a broad-leafed evergreen. Speaking of rhododendron, did you know the leaves will tell you the temperature? Rhododendron and mountain laurel leaves curl up tight when temperatures drop to 20 degrees or lower. It is like the shrubs have goose bumps.
To research my new shrub, I will review plant databases. I put my criteria into search bars. I use the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Database and the Ward’s Nursery Plant Finder. I must be careful and not be too specific because some plants may do fine even if my situation isn’t the ideal spot for the shrub. I am thinking of an American hazelnut, but I want to hear more negative feedback before I decide. Does the fruit attract voles or squirrels? Could that be a problem close to the house? This pondering is what January is for. Do the research; ask yourself questions. If a friend has a plant that you like, ask about its downside.
Most of all, enjoy the lazy gardening season. There will be plenty to do soon enough.
I call myself the Lazy Berkshire Gardener because I don’t want to work too hard in my gardens. I want to enjoy them. I find it easier to observe my landscape and let the compost happen, the water pool up, or daisies to self-sow. I look for ways to do the minimum task for the biggest impact. For example, mulching is better than spraying and much better than weeding all season. I look for beautiful, low-maintenance plants that thrive in or at least tolerate my garden conditions. Plus, I’m willing to live with the consequences if I miss something.
