I ASK YOU EVERY YEAR around this time, when the garden cleanup is basically done but the harvest of fresh seed catalogs hasn’t really arrived: What shall we do this winter? Shall we keep our gardening conversation going, or all dig into the woodchuck burrow with you-know-who (my nemesis)? Or maybe get snug in a basket with a blanket, like the little love bug in that vintage Library of Congress archival photo I just had to share. (Jack disdains such posing; he is macho–and, ahem, too big to fit.)
I need to do the annual gifts for gardeners thing, right? Coming up this next week, promise. I have a lot of catalog-related stories planned, too, including more expert Q&A’s–like the ones earlier this year on growing carrots and herbs and biodynamic seeds and organic vegetable-growing tips and more).
There will be regular book-related interviews and giveaways, too–cookbooks, or bird books, or nature guides and yes, of course, garden books. Admittedly, I have books on the brain, with my new one, “The Backyard Parables,” due in January. (For news about that, with a sample chapter and video, click here.)
BUT WHAT DO YOU want to do? Any topics you wish I’d cover–any particular techniques or types of plants, or a catalog or expert to recommend that’s you’d love me to reach out to?
How about we:
- Make baked beans, and soup–lots and lots of soup.
- Watch birds, and learn more about them together.
- Stare out the window at colorful conifers.
- Read a lot, especially books inspired by the natural world, whether fiction or non. You know, about bugs and stuff.
- Turn more winter squash or sweet potatoes into custards (just to keep up our strength, you know). But of course not till we finish the December chores, right?
So tell me, friends, what shall we do together this winter? Thanks!
Hi Margaret, I apologize for asking the “deer question” again…I see now that you have lots of info on your site already! A suggestion that I really liked was how you designed and built your own garden. Do you have before and after pictures? We have a bare field in Northern California and are daunted a bit as to where to start. The raspberries are in around the edges, the blueberries are near the house….but there is a lot of space in between. I have a mound into which I have planted all the plant cuttings I can find and random seeds from plants I like (btw, this is an inexpensive and fun way to develop plants on a too-big plot until we make the decision on what we are going to do). I collect from everywhere! Of course we read landscaping books, but would love to hear about and see your process!
I am with the readers who say just keep on doing what you are doing–it is fun and interesting to see you evolve as much as your garden!
Touche Michelle Beissel, could not have said it better!
Hi, Kimberly. Probably best to let winter clean up the soil a bit (the cleansing from rain, snow, etc.) and also let it just drain off and plant in spring. I’d wait.
Good morning, Margaret. Add my “yes” vote to all the postings so far. I’m all in favor of meandering from topic to topic and stumbling upon an unexpected serendipity.
Seeing as how I’m fast approaching 75 years of age, I’m especially interested in gardening inspirations for those of us who cannot comfortably get down on hands and knees as we did in our younger years. I’m becoming master at container gardening, my plants are thriving. I could use some ideas on displaying them around the yard. Right now, healthy as they are, they’re just keeping each other company in random “groups”. Such lovely plants deserve much more than that.
I so look forward to your newsletter and I read it cover to cover. Thank your for all the great information. I also love reading all the comments from your subscribers. You have such a varied and interesting group of friends.
Keep on keeping on, Margaret. I love your blog and have learned so much from it, plus, it really inspires me to get stuff done when it needs to be done. You are a treasure and thanks.
My Winter (if we ever get one here in North Texas) is going to be spent tincturing all of the dried herbs I harvested out of the Bell Back 400 (as in feet, not acres) garden, drooling over seed catalogs, and keeping my Winter greens coming in fast and furious all season long.
That and working on my blog about how I became a suburban farmer.
Love it, JD. Good plan! Jealous about those greens. I’m down to only Brussels sprouts!
Margaret, some advice please. Here we are, approaching the solstice, and the garlic is up 3-6 in. I am in Kansas City, MO- zone 6a now. There is a good 6-8 inches of leaf mulch on top of the raised beds and not much room for more. This year’s heat and drought did a number on my last crop and now I worry for next year’s. What do I do? Try and cover more, or just let it be? Thank you. I value this resource you have created here so much, thank you for it.