Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. âJohn Boswell
As an extreme gardener and sun worshipper, winter is most definitely my least favorite season. After the hoopla of the holidays and the extravagance of a New Yearâs celebration, January demands reflection, re-interpretation, and relaxation. With the glorious rain we experienced in December, the three creeks on my property are rushing offering meditative waterfalls that soothe my soul. The hills are greening, narcissi are budding, mushrooms are sprouting, and branches are bare. (As tempted as you may be to gather wild mushrooms, refrain from doing so unless you are with an expert mycologist or the outcome could be dire.) With the exception of pruning, spraying, and weeding, we have very little to do in our gardens this first of the month of the year. That suits me just fine as I am busy catching up and voting on the numerous nominated films and TV series in the upcoming 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards to be simulcast live coast to coast on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 5pm PT. If Iâm not gardening, movies on the big screen entertain and intrigue me, offering a winter respite from the travails of the yard. This is also my special time to analyze what I did right and wrong in the past year, peruse seed catalogues, dream about creative new outdoor spaces, set gardening goals for the new year (maybe Iâll study edible fungi), and cook with fruits and vegetables that I froze this past summer in anticipation of this downtime. Embark upon your sentimental journey to enjoy the slow place of January.
RECYCLE your Christmas tree. Remove the ornaments, lights, and all the trimmings before putting by the curbside on your regular garbage day through mid-January. If your tree was taller than ten feet, the disposal service requires that you cut it in half.
TUCKÂ surprises into your containers or along walkways to invite guests to stop and start a conversation. Iâve slipped empty Angel star perfume bottles between orchid fronds (canât throw those lovely blue stars away) and also placed an iron sculpture of two fighters created by my husband in high school on top of a birdbath planted with succulents.
SOLVEÂ the problem of a bare spot by purchasing an azalea, fuchsia, or cyclamen in bloom and placing the pot directly in the garden. When it has finished blooming, transplant wherever you wish.
PRUNEÂ roses, vines, and fruit trees. Canes of roses can be shared with friends. Dip a healthy cane into a growing medium, plant in good soil or in a container.
TIME to order bare root roses. David Austin is introducing four new English roses to the United States for spring. My favorite is called The Lady Gardener. Find more information at http://www.DavidAustinRoses.com.
MULTIPLYÂ delight by bringing bouquets of pink bergenia and fragrant narcissci into your rooms. Jade is also in bloom offering a winter succulent shocker.
WATCH the 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards simulcast live coast to coast on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 25th at 5pm. The award shows of the season have nothing to do with gardening, and that is my point.Â
FEEDÂ the birds! With winter in full throttle there is little food for our feathered friends. Make sure to keep feeders out of the rain.
SPRAYÂ fruit trees, dogwoods, and cotoneaster this month with the first of the dormant sprays.
PICKÂ baby lettuces, arugula, and Swiss Chard for your meals.
ADDÂ sulfur or coffee grinds to acid loving plants including rhododendron, fuchsia, azalea, rose, Daphne, and citrus to give an added boost of energy.
SAVEÂ fireplace wood ashes to fertilize your alkaline loving plants and iris.
MULCHÂ hillsides to prevent erosion, maintain warmth, and assist with water retention.
WEEDÂ whenever you notice the unwanted greens popping up to save yourself the trouble when the ground is dry. Weeds are easy to pull in the rainy weather and can be added to your compost heap.
SPRINKLEÂ laundry detergent on mushrooms that grow in your lawn. Personally I love seeing mushrooms as they remind me of my favorite fairytales, but if they bother you, a dusting of laundry detergent exterminates them quickly and safely.Â
CAREÂ for indoor plants by wiping large foliage with a damp cloth to remove the dust, use room temperature water on all pots, keep pots away from drafts, and be vigilante about watching for pests.
TAKEÂ cuttings from fruit trees to graft in March or April. Wrap cuttings in wet newspaper, seal the wrapped twigs in plastic bags, and store in the freezer until you are ready.
FORCEÂ bulbs of crocus, hyacinth, and lily of the valley.
INSPECTÂ and repair all garden tools and equipment. Make sure to oil, sharpen, and store them securely.
PERUSEÂ garden catalogues and magazines for ideas for a spring garden. Make a list of seeds youâll want to try in this year.
REST, relax, rejuvenate, reinvent. Give yourself a respite from the cold, damp, and dreary to dream about a flourishing spring.
Have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year.Â
Read more at https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue0822/Cynthia-Brians-Gardening-Guide-for-January.html
©2015
Cynthia Brian
The Goddess Gardener
Starstyle® Productions, llc
925-377-STAR
I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant. Â
Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best selling author, speaker, coach, and host of the radio show, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® broadcasting live every Wednesday from 4-5pm PT on the Voice America Network.. She also is the creator and producer of Express Yourself!⢠Teen Radio and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 charity.
