Seeding the ‘gardens of winter’

This time of year, I usually think of winter gardens. Winter gardens? What, are you mad? It’s freezing outside and the ground is as hard as cement.

Well, that is true, but there are actually two gardens this time of year. One has already been planted in the previous fall, and the other is seeded in the imagination and is yet to be, come spring.

Last fall’s bulbs are sleeping beneath the frozen earth. In the spring they will burst forth, ushering in the start of the season, proudly heralding the funeral many look forward to — the end of winter.

These bulbs are not just a figment of an optimist’s imagination. You can’t see them this time of year, but they exist under the snow, deep within the earth. With their partner in nature, the spring sun, they will in time show their true colours. You can’t keep a good bulb down! They are usually only known to those who planted them; they know where and what type of flower they are.

Bulb anxiety

There is, though, a nervousness with bulbs. Will they actually spring forth? Or have they long been food for squirrels? Will the current weather patterns affect their growth? If they do spurt forth in the spring, there is often a satisfaction on the part of the planter, and sometimes even envy on the part of the observer. There is nothing like flower curb appeal in the spring when passers by stop, look, admire, and even snap a pic.

Whether it’s a division of tulips (that’s what a group of them are called), an inflorescence of daffodils (again, the collective group name), or a carpet of croci, fall bulbs are not a sure thing. Some people wait too long to plant them; others plant them too early under the ever watchful eyes of squirrels.

I heard of someone who planted her bulbs as late as early December one year, and she used a hair dryer to warm the cold earth before planting them!

Now that’s either optimistic or poor planning.

Seasonal planning

Fall bulbs are bearers of hope. After a long, cold, and snowy winter, the anxious waiting period is worth it. A fine spring flower-showing is usually the product of good old-fashioned work and dedication. These already-planted gardens are worth thinking about (or perhaps worrying about) in the dead of winter.

The other winter gardens are those that have yet to be planted. The winter period is a good time to think of future spring and even summer gardens.

Garden catalogues and garden-related businesses usually anticipate the coming season and sell spring and summer bulbs early, even before the snow and ice have melted. In a four-season country, businesses know the importance of looking ahead and taking advantage of the short and quick changing seasons, because before you know it, the next season is upon us.

Fireside planning

If you hate winter (believe it or not there are those who do) then what greater pastime is there than to sit by a cozy warm fire with your favourite beverage, as the bluster of winter lurks just outside your window.

Think about the gardens of winter: gardens that have already been planted and are in progress, and those that are yet to be. Or, if you have a seed and garden catalogue handy, browse through its pages and choose your future garden as you marvel at the wonderful pictures and the often enticing descriptions.

As they say, if you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail, so downtime is the perfect time to be proactive and prepare for your garden. Given our sometimes harsh climate, there are not many Canadians who don’t appreciate a good garden. The garden observers pass by and admire it, while the hard core gardeners hard work, time, effort and thought is absorbed by it.

Gardens are one of the many of Nature’s eye candies. They always bring a smile, giving one a good feeling, and restoring newly found hope that this really is a beautiful world.

So keep calm and garden on, even though it’s still winter.