In the quiet time of winter

January is best left to Old Man Winter and dreams of summer bounty. It has been a tough winter thus far, and only time will tell which treasures survived our sub-freezing temps and which ones did not.

Most plants selected for our zone (7a/b across the metro area, north to south) are not extremely tolerant below 24º. We've had a few dip lower this year. But, the good news is, most of those happened following a covering of snow, which acts like an insulator, unlike conditions outlined in my earlier comments this winter about the devastating effects of cold and wind combined.

January is a great time to force bulbs like paperwhites and hyacinth. They add a heady fragrance to the doldrums of winter. I have started an amaryllis (a little late, but hoping for success!) I'm posting a photo from the Conservatory at Centennial Park in Seattle (July2010) to keep you enthused...my own experiment did not produce a flower, but a lot of new growth. My conclusion is I need more sun...so there is hope yet!

If we get a mild day (and we surely will!) in the next few weeks, go out and poke around, looking for signs of life and greenery. And be thinking of what you want to add to the garden this year. Something I've learned from the nursery business over the past few years - the best stock is available in March. If there is something specific you want, you need to be sure to get it before it is gone...

Stay Warm!
Lyn