One of the mercies found within an Ohio winter are those small windows of dry enough conditions and relatively pleasant weather. They are almost always very short, so the opportunities need to grasped. We have a short window at this moment and I have used it to carry on the weeding and garden preparation that the beautiful fall allowed in 2016. I'm so grateful to be able to work in the yard, … [Read more...] about Snippets of Gardening, February’s Mercies
February
Everyone Talks About The Weather
I ventured out between the pine and the spirea Wherever I go (the few times I can venture out), everyone is talking about the weather, how cold it is, how tired they are of it, etc, etc. Depending on just how cold it is I either find lots to do on my computer, or I have an excuse to sit and watch a favorite show with a hot cup of something. Watched plenty of the British detective shows I … [Read more...] about Everyone Talks About The Weather
What To Write About? We are still in a deep freeze.
A cold winter's dayIt has only gotten colder, and that is a rather boring topic, unless you live in the likes of Atlanta where this winter has turned things topsy-turvy for them. Midday here in the Central Ohio area, and it isn't above 10 degrees. I am grateful for the light cover of snow which provides something of a protection for the garden.Most of the excitement around here is in terms of … [Read more...] about What To Write About? We are still in a deep freeze.
Mythical Spring
early spring snowstorm 2010I am starting to understand ancient man's reason to tell the myths of Springtime. The Persephone and Brigid myths represent the struggle felt as winter is wont to let go and spring must irresistibly arrive. The old stories of the struggle for power between the Cailleach (the old woman of winter) and Brighid ( whose day is celebrated as the first day of the Celtic spring, … [Read more...] about Mythical Spring
Bits of February Trivia
Ruth Kirk, the author of "Snow":"Snow not only insulates against low minimum temperatures but also against fluctuations. A bare soil surface may be heated by direct sunshine, then cooled in seconds as clouds pass overhead, and its temperatures often surge drastically from day to night. Snow moderates these swings and that can be a crucial advantage."She also corroborates the old saw that snow is … [Read more...] about Bits of February Trivia
Odd Thing Or Two About This Late Winter Time of Year
Pink, Red, or Fuchsia?Most gardeners have gotten a catalog or two, or three...or more! Garden catalogs have their own language and after awhile one understands the lingo, but at first it can seem almost misleading. I wrote a page about deciphering catalogs a number of years ago. Garden catalog advice. Essentially the two major things to look out for are color descriptions and the florid hyperbole … [Read more...] about Odd Thing Or Two About This Late Winter Time of Year
The Night The Ice Fell
"It was a dark and stormy night"... is how my uncle jokingly started the telling of some family history as we sat in the living room, all fully aware of the storm predictions and awaiting the next sidewalk report from my husband's periodical trek to get the next load of wood for our stove. The storm had moved in, and we were ready for it.two days after, ice and branchesThe weekend previous I had … [Read more...] about The Night The Ice Fell
Hellebore Happiness
This month, during a couple visits to Whole Foods, I picked up some indoor pots of hellebores that were on sale. Considering that they are pricey to order, I have the enjoyment of blooms on my windowsill, and later (hopefully), three new hellebores to put into my garden this year -all for a sale price. These are true Christmas roses(H. niger), while the one that has been growing in my garden for … [Read more...] about Hellebore Happiness
Home And Garden Show
The annual Home and Garden Show starts at the end of this month. It is a breath of spring for Central Ohio- which we will sorely need if Punxsutawney Phil is right about our extended winter.It's a great place to get new ideas and see what's happening in the Landscape and D-I-Y world. The fragrance from the blooming spring flowers is welcome, and the time of year is right at the transition for most … [Read more...] about Home And Garden Show
Home And Garden Show
The annual Home and Garden Show starts at the end of this month. It is a breath of spring for Central Ohio- which we will sorely need if Punxsutawney Phil is right about our extended winter.It's a great place to get new ideas and see what's happening in the Landscape and D-I-Y world. The fragrance from the blooming spring flowers is welcome, and the time of year is right at the transition for most … [Read more...] about Home And Garden Show
Central Ohio Home & Garden Show
Got cabin fever? Can hardly wait until warm weather and the spring season usher in the pleasure of growing a garden? Well, the time is just right for the Home and Garden show here in Central Ohio. The outside may be bleak , but once you walk through the doors of the Expo Center you are greeted with the blooms and fragrance of springtime. All sorts of exhibits are eye candy for D-I-Yourself … [Read more...] about Central Ohio Home & Garden Show
Winter Came Late
Earlier this season I wrote that this was the winter that wasn't. But in Ohio, you should learn to bite that tongue and not speak too soon. We still have patchy snow on the ground and plenty of cold weather- if not actually frigid. I think though winter came late, it may stay too long, despite the ground hog predictions. I need a spring tonic... the cold and dreary weather makes me sluggish. That … [Read more...] about Winter Came Late