frost on perennials

EVERY YEAR AROUND THIS TIME I ask the same question: What shall we do this winter—during gardening’s supposed offseason? A hoarfrost on the perennials and grass the other morning (above) reminded me that you-know-what will close in sometime soon, so what do you think? In return for your planning help, I’m offering a chance to win a signed copy of my collectible first book, “A Way to Garden.”

First, a Word of Thanks

IF NOT FOR YOUR 26,000 comments so far, and millions of page views, and your other encouragement in the form of emails and newsletter subscriptions and Facebook page “likes” and yes, even notes and treats some of you send in the regular mail to Jack the Demon Cat, I would never have written the 900 stories to date (this is Number 901!) since starting A Way to Garden in March 2008. A giant thanks for being my inspiration.

Now Back to the Winter Plans…

ON MY END, the book manuscript I have due at the New Year—yes, it’s a garden book—is taking much of my attention, of course, but I should be done after the holidays (or else).

I finally completed my last of more than 30 events of 2011. Lectures will resume in late winter, with workshops and garden tours spring onward, and I’ll post a full schedule next month. I keep wondering if a monthly chat (with audio, I mean, like a “webinar” or conference call format) would be a good thing to add…

But what about here, on the blog?

Of course we’ll talk about seed-catalog offerings (can you believe how many are already online or in the mail?). I’ll do more plants profiles, and continue giveaways of books and other things. I’ll recommend useful links of recent articles I’ve enjoyed, dish up the occasional recipe, and complain about the weather as needed—oh, and of course we can laugh at Andre doodles together.

But I’d love to know what subject(s) are of most interest to you, particularly—is it a particular type of garden, or group of plants, or technique or what? Indoor plants, edibles, or outdoor ornamentals? Or is it related topics, like the environment or nature or food, that make the mix work for you? If there were three stories you could assign to me, what would they be about?

How to Win ‘A Way to Garden’

TO ENTER TO WIN THE COPY of “A Way to Garden,” all you have to do is answer that question:
If there were three stories you could assign to me, what would they be about?

I’ll draw the winner at random after entries close at midnight Saturday, December 3. I’ll use the tool at random [dot] org to pick, and notify the person by email.

I’m pretty much of a pushover on these drawings as you regulars know—so I’ll even accept an answer that’s easier. If you can’t think of three things you’d like me to write about, how about just one?

Good luck to all.