Anne, this post is perfect timing! I have always hated the cold, dark winter. Add to that, five years ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and spent the winter sick, and his last Christmas and 2 months of life were in a Hospice facility. Now I get the blues much more during the winter. As soon as I drag myself through Christmas, I start thinking of my garden! Going through the seed catalogs, turning down page corners, and making notes! You asked how we do our planning. I use GoodNotes on my ipad mini, which is a wonderful tool. I make a dedicated Garden notebook, and I make my plans there. I drew the grid of the 9 garden beds I built, put the picture of that in my notebook, and I can write in each garden bed what and where I will plant things! When I'm out gardening in the summer, I have my ipad with me to jot things down when new thoughts come to mind. I love your idea of examining the garden in the dead season! I do take tons of pictures of my gardens during the summer...why shouldn't I take a few in winter? And collect anything interesting I find to bring inside and admire? If I watch the weather closely, and bundle up on some "warmer" days, I just may have incentive now to venture out there! Thank you for this encouraging post with some wonderful ideas for winter coping! And I wish you a very Happy New Year! 😀 💐
I'm glad to know my post came at the perfect time for you, Patricia. I hope you do take winter photos and collect beautiful bits of nature to study and admire. Just being aware and curious can help us to see beauty where we didn't notice it before.
Winter can be hard without the added memories of suffering and loss. I'm so sorry it's compounded for you. Finding hope and excitement as you plan your garden is a beautiful way to nurture yourself.
Wishing you beautiful days of dreaming and planning.
Reading your posts about whatever season we're in is always a pleasure, Anne. I'm so pleased for you that your new studio makes winter more tolerable. The winter stems you're painting are quite lovely!
You have your houseplants; for me it's cuttings from last summer's garden. Wintering them over isn't easy, but as long as I can keep them alive they'll rebound as soon as I can get them back outside. Coleus, lots of bright colored coleus leaves brighten my days.
In just a couple days I'll be placing your 2025 calendar on my entry table to enjoy for the year ahead. Thanks!
Coleus, yes! I've read about coleus being grown as houseplants and on my seed packets they say you can start the seed any time to grow indoors.
I have geranium and double impatiens cuttings and LOTS of houseplant cuttings -- I could have a forest of fiddle leaf figs (I can't prune my plants without rooting what I cut off).
I'm so glad my calendar will brighten your days in 2025! Thanks so much for your encouragement and support, Ginny!
You sound like me! I'll try rooting anything in water, anything! (Well, plant material that is). Early this spring I took half a dozen cuttings from a Roguchi clematis (look it up if you're not familiar, it's a sweetheart). They remained green and even produced some miniature blossoms, but no roots... til August! I potted them and put them outside. They are wintering outside and my fingers are crossed that they survive. such fun!
I'm at a point in my life where I truly (mostly ;-)) enjoy many aspects of winter. Although my husband mourns the shorter days and cold weather, I find the hibernation mode they naturally prompt to be lovely. I really need a period of slowing down each year, and winter is kind enough to provide it. Though of course when March comes, I'll be chomping at the bit and ready for spring to arrive ... isn't that the way?
It is nice to have time to slow down, isn't it? But I'm with you about March. I get a little antsy in February and we still will often have a lot of snow in March and even storms in April. I'm definitely ready to get outside by then!
I love that you have your house plants to paint & tend to in winter! How fun that you're noticing the dried plants in the garden... I have collected dried sunflowers, poppy seed pods, allium, queen Anne's lace and sprayed them gold to preserve! I have them in vases in various places around the house so I can enjoy them. It's a fun way to bring the garden inside to last all year!
I'm glad you've come to understand the reason for winter and can enjoy its unique offerings. Personally, I've not enjoyed the places I've lived that did not have 4 distinct seasons, particularly winter. I found I got bored with plants and lawns that never went dormant over the winter. I need that change of scenery, that jolt of something different and a break from all that color and exuberance. I know that sounds strange but that the way I see it! However, I never tire of my house plants . . .
I've only ever lived where there are four seasons (and where winter is long and cold! -- Haha!). I expect I'd miss the seasons if I didn't have them. I never tire of houseplants, either!
Love this, love the snowy pix. Even being a So Cal beach girl winter has always been hard for me, but sometimes I enjoy the peace and quiet of the season. Especially right after xmas, it always seems especially sweet and peaceful at this time. I love your winter garden view. The snow looks so peaceful, I enjoy the looks of it. I'd love some links to your favorite houseplant vlogs (maybe you have some in your house plant blogs). Going to nurseries has always been one of my favorite things to do, as well :) Here's to longer days ahead!
Thank you, Stacey. I always think the time between Christmas and New Year is so cozy and relaxed. One of my favorite YT channels that talks about houseplants is Summer Rayne Oakes': https://www.youtube.com/@summerrayneoakes I especially enjoy the houseplant tours.
Anne, this post is perfect timing! I have always hated the cold, dark winter. Add to that, five years ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and spent the winter sick, and his last Christmas and 2 months of life were in a Hospice facility. Now I get the blues much more during the winter. As soon as I drag myself through Christmas, I start thinking of my garden! Going through the seed catalogs, turning down page corners, and making notes! You asked how we do our planning. I use GoodNotes on my ipad mini, which is a wonderful tool. I make a dedicated Garden notebook, and I make my plans there. I drew the grid of the 9 garden beds I built, put the picture of that in my notebook, and I can write in each garden bed what and where I will plant things! When I'm out gardening in the summer, I have my ipad with me to jot things down when new thoughts come to mind. I love your idea of examining the garden in the dead season! I do take tons of pictures of my gardens during the summer...why shouldn't I take a few in winter? And collect anything interesting I find to bring inside and admire? If I watch the weather closely, and bundle up on some "warmer" days, I just may have incentive now to venture out there! Thank you for this encouraging post with some wonderful ideas for winter coping! And I wish you a very Happy New Year! 😀 💐
I'm glad to know my post came at the perfect time for you, Patricia. I hope you do take winter photos and collect beautiful bits of nature to study and admire. Just being aware and curious can help us to see beauty where we didn't notice it before.
Winter can be hard without the added memories of suffering and loss. I'm so sorry it's compounded for you. Finding hope and excitement as you plan your garden is a beautiful way to nurture yourself.
Wishing you beautiful days of dreaming and planning.
Reading your posts about whatever season we're in is always a pleasure, Anne. I'm so pleased for you that your new studio makes winter more tolerable. The winter stems you're painting are quite lovely!
You have your houseplants; for me it's cuttings from last summer's garden. Wintering them over isn't easy, but as long as I can keep them alive they'll rebound as soon as I can get them back outside. Coleus, lots of bright colored coleus leaves brighten my days.
In just a couple days I'll be placing your 2025 calendar on my entry table to enjoy for the year ahead. Thanks!
Coleus, yes! I've read about coleus being grown as houseplants and on my seed packets they say you can start the seed any time to grow indoors.
I have geranium and double impatiens cuttings and LOTS of houseplant cuttings -- I could have a forest of fiddle leaf figs (I can't prune my plants without rooting what I cut off).
I'm so glad my calendar will brighten your days in 2025! Thanks so much for your encouragement and support, Ginny!
You sound like me! I'll try rooting anything in water, anything! (Well, plant material that is). Early this spring I took half a dozen cuttings from a Roguchi clematis (look it up if you're not familiar, it's a sweetheart). They remained green and even produced some miniature blossoms, but no roots... til August! I potted them and put them outside. They are wintering outside and my fingers are crossed that they survive. such fun!
Gardens teach us patience and remind us not to give up too quickly!
I'm at a point in my life where I truly (mostly ;-)) enjoy many aspects of winter. Although my husband mourns the shorter days and cold weather, I find the hibernation mode they naturally prompt to be lovely. I really need a period of slowing down each year, and winter is kind enough to provide it. Though of course when March comes, I'll be chomping at the bit and ready for spring to arrive ... isn't that the way?
It is nice to have time to slow down, isn't it? But I'm with you about March. I get a little antsy in February and we still will often have a lot of snow in March and even storms in April. I'm definitely ready to get outside by then!
The photos and photos of paintings are beautiful.
Thank you, Kathleen!
I love that you have your house plants to paint & tend to in winter! How fun that you're noticing the dried plants in the garden... I have collected dried sunflowers, poppy seed pods, allium, queen Anne's lace and sprayed them gold to preserve! I have them in vases in various places around the house so I can enjoy them. It's a fun way to bring the garden inside to last all year!
I'm not sure what I'd do without my houseplants! :) Your gold flower stems sound so lovely. Thanks for sharing, Karen (maybe you'll blog about them?).
That would be a fun blog topic for winter! Great idea!
So beautiful Anne. I think what I like the least about winter are the short and often grey days. At least now each day is getting longer.
Yes, the darkness can be so hard. Sometimes winter can be dreary. I love a cold, sunny, snowy winter day. The contrast of blue sky and white snow...
Hooray for longer days!
I love that too.
I'm glad you've come to understand the reason for winter and can enjoy its unique offerings. Personally, I've not enjoyed the places I've lived that did not have 4 distinct seasons, particularly winter. I found I got bored with plants and lawns that never went dormant over the winter. I need that change of scenery, that jolt of something different and a break from all that color and exuberance. I know that sounds strange but that the way I see it! However, I never tire of my house plants . . .
I've only ever lived where there are four seasons (and where winter is long and cold! -- Haha!). I expect I'd miss the seasons if I didn't have them. I never tire of houseplants, either!
I love your photos, Anne, especially the cute snow person! There really is so much beauty even in winter.
Thank you, Roseanne! Our snow is almost entirely melted but this morning we had some lovely frost and freezing fog. So beautiful!
Love this, love the snowy pix. Even being a So Cal beach girl winter has always been hard for me, but sometimes I enjoy the peace and quiet of the season. Especially right after xmas, it always seems especially sweet and peaceful at this time. I love your winter garden view. The snow looks so peaceful, I enjoy the looks of it. I'd love some links to your favorite houseplant vlogs (maybe you have some in your house plant blogs). Going to nurseries has always been one of my favorite things to do, as well :) Here's to longer days ahead!
Thank you, Stacey. I always think the time between Christmas and New Year is so cozy and relaxed. One of my favorite YT channels that talks about houseplants is Summer Rayne Oakes': https://www.youtube.com/@summerrayneoakes I especially enjoy the houseplant tours.
Thanks for the link!