Oakville Farm Daylily Blog

Nature has undoubtedly mastered the art of winter gardening and even the most experienced gardener can learn from the unrestrained beauty around them. --Vincent A. Simeone

Nature in the winter really is a beautiful sight. The shadows from the winter sun on the bare trees... The fresh fallen snow on the ground... The starkness of tree branches... all beautiful. And as I say so many times, hope you spend time outdoors each day, if only for a moment. It will give you a sense of appreciation for all around!

Although we are into this year of 2012 and past January 1.... want to ask ya, Do you make New Years Resolutions? Well, I do make resolutions, however don't seem to follow thru! I was sent this list of

"Garden Resolutions for 2012" and wanted to share. Maybe you (and I) can make an exception and find one or more garden "ideas" to enhance our year. Give it a try....

Take a Class: In the garden, learning never stops. Take a class on a garden subject that you have always wanted to learn. Your local Agricultural Extension Office, community college or senior center may be good places to look for a gardening class.

Go Organic: Learn to tolerate a few weeds and nibbled leaves. Be good to the environment and use organic means of controlling pests and problems. Start with natural lawn care. It can be the biggest water hog and chemical demanding part of the garden. Learn how and practice management of an environmentally friendly yard.

Take a Garden Tour: Visit gardens. Take opportunity when local gardeners open their private spaces. Take notes and pictures, it is one of the best learning opportunities to see what grows well in this area and enjoy the peak season of gardens.

Plant Vegetables: Imagine tomatoes fresh off the vine and leaf lettuces from the garden. This season, find a sunny spot and plant some vegetables to enjoy what the garden can give back to you. Hit the seed racks this spring for lots of variety.

Plant Natives: In garden designing, I see more and more homeowners looking to eliminate native areas…such a shame. Many natives are desirable plants that are beautiful in landscape design, either as a backdrop to more “cultured” plantings, mingled in mixed beds and borders or creating a “finished edge” to the beginning of natural woodlands. Take time to learn more about natives and plant them.

Keep a garden calendar or journal: It can be as simple as an ordinary calendar. Write down something every day about the garden, it can be regarding the weather, a new bird sighting, the day something bloomed and any tasks done. It will be a valuable tool for seasons to come.

Compost: Compost, Compost…every garden should have a compost bin!

Mulch more, Weed less: Put your garden on a good organic mulch diet, the reward will be healthy garden soil. Mulch at least 3 to 4 inches to control weeds too.

Teach a child the Wonders of Gardening: whether your own, a grandchild or volunteering at school, there is real joy in working with children in the garden. Seeing the simple act of planting through a child’s eyes will renew your viewpoint as well.

Visit the garden show: The perfect way to spend a day is at a local garden show. Or even, make it a weekend trip and travel across the state or visit a neighboring state and attend a garden show. Nurseries have tickets on sale now…steal ideas from the gardens, shop the amazing booths and make your garden beautiful.

Think Design: “The plain hard work that goes into an unplanned and non-descript garden might just as well go into a planned one.” (Summer 1953, George Avery Jr. the Brooklyn Botanic Garden)

Hope these thoughts/suggestions will "plant" an idea for you in this upcoming year. We will check back periodically and see how it is going....

Until next time, Happy Gardening.