| Moderator |
| | Dec 15, 2011 | Reply with quote | #1 |
|
Winter Gardening -
What Does It Mean To You?
What, you might ask, is "Winter Gardening?" Isn't winter that time of year when the ground is frozen solid and covered with an impenetrable layer of snow and ice? Aren't our hardy northern plants deep in their winter slumber, not to be awakened until they are touched by the first warm breaths of spring? Aren't we supposed to be in our own self-imposed hibernation in our jail-cell domiciles, pining for spring and the return of our precious gardening season? How can one "garden" in winter?
Well, to be honest, we had the very same question. We're not quite sure ourselves what winter gardening is! We do know that different people enjoy their gardening hobby differently over the winter. Some take to indoor gardening with houseplants, tropicals, succulents and orchids. For some it's a chance to enjoy the winter wildlife like birds and squirrels. Some like to use this down time to dream and plan for the coming season. Some gardeners like to travel to warmer climes to visit botanical gardens. For some it is a welcome respite from gardening; they kick back their heels and take a break from gardening for a couple of months, confident in the knowledge that spring is just around the corner.
One thing is for sure, the concept means different things to different people, and that makes for a fun conversation! So, as usual, we've come to you, our fellow Northscapers, to learn what "Winter Gardening" means to you. Let's share our ideas of how we "garden" during our long and cold winters; maybe we can find some ideas that we can all enjoy! Here's what our snowy garden writers have to say on this timely topic;
James Says:
Being a somewhat "unconventional" person, I like to look at winter gardening from an unconventional perspective. I've always asked the question "Why not?" when it comes to gardening in the North. So why not winter gardening? What if I were to take that literally, and try to garden "for" winter, if not "in" winter?
In my studies and travels I've come to learn that while it may not be possible to garden in this climate in the more traditional sense of the word, we can still enjoy the benefits of gardening. So for example, I like to design gardens for winter appeal. Crooked trees, maiden grass (Miscanthus) and mop-top hydrangea flower heads all catch snow in a most interesting way and give a dynamic to the landscape. Flowers like chrysanthemums persist throughout the winter. Dense hedges, statuary and retaining walls create interesting wind patterns that make a display out of the snow. Add in a few bird feeders to attract the birds for some real life in this scene, and there you have it - a self-delivering winter scene fit for a gardener!
I also like to work with the extremes of the growing season. It has never ceased to amaze me how witchhazels can flower while there's still snow on the ground. I plant crocuses and snowdrops, which bloom regularly in this climate while poking their little heads through the last layers of melting snow! I enjoy winterberries, cranberries and flowering crabs for their red, yellow and orange fruits that last until Christmas. So when it comes down to it, I actually do enjoy a good 9-10 months of solid gardening in the outdoors with some creative planting!
Stefan Says:
Winter – BAH HUMBUG! Scrooge may have been stingy, but when winter comes I get depressed as I have no colorful plants (other than a poinsettia or some fake flower Christmas decorations) to look at. So what I have been doing lately? No less than looking at travel locations to get away to so that I can see some plants, and maybe photograph a few for the Northscaping NetPS Plant Search tool (we do a lot of that lately!).
All right, when I do get to these places I usually spend a day or two photographing every plant in sight. It’s been interesting though, because I do stumble on the occasional plant that I can try to push the growth zone limit in the North. Ironically, I have never actually taken a 'winter' holiday. Last year I was supposed to, based on this premise, but Egypt closed its border three days before I was to fly out - but I’m not bitter!!!! (much)
So instead, through the winter, I looked at a future travel destination and ended up in China in May. It was well worth the change from a Northscaping Plant search perspective! Today, I am looking at more southern, and less volatile places to travel in the winter to get my plant fix during our northern winter whiteness - that is, when I’m not inputting the plants that I took photos of during the last trip.
Fun, fun, fun!
What Do YOU Say?
Post your replies to this thread and BE HEARD! |
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| Valerie |
| | Jan 06, 2012 | Reply with quote | #2 |
|
I am with Jim, plant in the season with thought to the winter scene. Stefan...given your growing conditions and mine...well, enjoy your trips south. Send pictures.
Winnipeg has not had much snow, but it is Friday again and...like the two previous heavier snow days it is snowing. Good thing as I have been very concerned about the lack of and the cooling weather. Granted we have not had anything too bad...yet. So getting this snow blanet or series of snow sheets hopefully will add more protection.
I was sitting out on the bench the other day, and I swear the lilac has greening type new branches and the buds look a little fuller than they really should at this time of year. Several iris leaf stubs also look like they are trying to green up and grow!!
I am holding my breath to see what else Mother nature under stress deliveries this season.
Valerie
NE Winnipeg
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| andrew |
| | Jan 12, 2012 | Reply with quote | #3 |
|
Quote: Originally Posted by ModeratorWinter Gardening -
What Does It Mean To You?
What, you might ask, is "Winter Gardening?" Isn't winter that time of year when the ground is frozen solid and covered with an impenetrable layer of snow and ice? Aren't our hardy northern plants deep in their winter slumber, not to be awakened until they are touched by the first warm breaths of spring? Aren't we supposed to be in our own self-imposed hibernation in our jail-cell domiciles, pining for spring and the return of our precious gardening season? How can one "garden" in winter?
Well, to be honest, we had the very same question. We're not quite sure ourselves what winter gardening is! We do know that different people enjoy their gardening hobby differently over the winter. Some take to indoor gardening with houseplants, tropicals, succulents and orchids. For some it's a chance to enjoy the winter wildlife like birds and squirrels. Some like to use this down time to dream and plan for the coming season. Some gardeners like to travel to warmer climes to visit botanical gardens. For some it is a welcome respite from gardening; they kick back their heels and take a break from gardening for a couple of months, confident in the knowledge that spring is just around the corner.
One thing is for sure, the concept means different things to different people, and that makes for a fun conversation! So, as usual, we've come to you, our fellow Northscapers, to learn what "Winter Gardening" means to you. Let's share our ideas of how we "garden" during our long and cold winters; maybe we can find some ideas that we can all enjoy! Here's what our snowy garden writers have to say on this timely topic;
James Says:
Being a somewhat "unconventional" person, I like to look at winter gardening from an unconventional perspective. I've always asked the question "Why not?" when it comes to gardening in the North. So why not winter gardening? What if I were to take that literally, and try to garden "for" winter, if not "in" winter?
In my studies and travels I've come to learn that while it may not be possible to garden in this climate in the more traditional sense of the word, we can still enjoy the benefits of gardening. So for example, I like to design gardens for winter appeal. Crooked trees, maiden grass (Miscanthus) and mop-top hydrangea flower heads all catch snow in a most interesting way and give a dynamic to the landscape. Flowers like chrysanthemums persist throughout the winter. Dense hedges, statuary and retaining walls create interesting wind patterns that make a display out of the snow. Add in a few bird feeders to attract the birds for some real life in this scene, and there you have it - a self-delivering winter scene fit for a gardener!
I also like to work with the extremes of the growing season. It has never ceased to amaze me how witchhazels can flower while there's still snow on the ground. I plant crocuses and snowdrops, which bloom regularly in this climate while poking their little heads through the last layers of melting snow! I enjoy winterberries, cranberries and flowering crabs for their red, yellow and orange fruits that last until Christmas. So when it comes down to it, I actually do enjoy a good 9-10 months of solid gardening in the outdoors with some creative planting!
Stefan Says:
Winter – BAH HUMBUG! Scrooge may have been stingy, but when winter comes I get depressed as I have no colorful plants (other than a poinsettia or some fake flower Christmas decorations) to look at. So what I have been doing lately? No less than looking at travel locations to get away to so that I can see some plants, and maybe photograph a few for the Northscaping NetPS Plant Search tool (we do a lot of that lately!).
All right, when I do get to these places I usually spend a day or two photographing every plant in sight. It’s been interesting though, because I do stumble on the occasional plant that I can try to push the growth zone limit in the North. Ironically, I have never actually taken a 'winter' holiday. Last year I was supposed to, based on this premise, but Egypt closed its border three days before I was to fly out - but I’m not bitter!!!! (much)
So instead, through the winter, I looked at a future travel destination and ended up in China in May. It was well worth the change from a Northscaping Plant search perspective! Today, I am looking at more southern, and less volatile places to travel in the winter to get my plant fix during our northern winter whiteness - that is, when I’m not inputting the plants that I took photos of during the last trip.
Fun, fun, fun!
What Do YOU Say?
Actually this inquiry is somewhat related to winter gardening. I am thinking of adding Rhodo's to a Zone 4 garden that is in the country and after reading the article at this site I am encouraged to plant .. But ... I have Deer in the area , and are concerned that those nice plump buds come spring will end up looking like a local sumac nearby ... a chewed little stump . There are some plants deer don't touch not sure if rhodo's ar in that group .... any thoughts . The garden is relatively unattended during 5 winter months. |
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| Ferrol Lobo |
| | Feb 06, 2012 | Reply with quote | #4 |
|
| I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada which is a Zone 3a area. This means that we have extremely cold winters (where the average temperate is -10) and long (we can expect to have snowfall for upto eight months, and that includes early June). Boring isn't it if you are a gardening freak like I am? To me summers are about short periods of fun, enjoyment and life! I have fun planting hardy winter interest shrubs and some perennials which show signs of life until about November or until the snow starts coming down in piles (whichever is earlier). Winter interest plants like dogwoods and perennials like Stonecrop Sedum Autumn Joy give you the greatest joy even when everything else around is white.
The other thing with these plants is that while they start growing again in early spring, can and should be pruned in early spring when things are beginning to warm up. Left in the snow they show interesting shapes and sights.
To me winter is a sign of hope from the plants that were planted in summer! |
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