a flower in time
written by Lisa Briggs
Even though it’s barely started, you may find yourself getting a bit sick of winter. The damp, gray days contribute to cases of cabin fever and longing for the sight of some swelling buds. Either we need to take a tropical vacation or direct some of this untapped energy towards an indoor gardening project.
is it spring yet jimmy?
written by Lisa Briggs
Next weekend will find many a modern gardener checking the sky as soon as the alarm clock rings. Why? It’s Groundhog Day! While Punxsutawney Phil may be more famous, in Wisconsin Jimmy rules. Let’s explore the origins of this quirky American holiday. Spoiler alert though. Perhaps the whole thing began with a badger!
winter pruning abc’s
written by Lisa Briggs
The frenetic pace of the holidays has given way to calm contemplation of mid-winter, making it a great time to settle in, plan for and nurture some spring gardening projects.
where’s our snow?
written by Lisa Briggs
Have you seen the snow cover map? The white stuff is everywhere. Except on Wisconsin ground! And our plants would certainly appreciate the extra snowy blanket.
she-holly or he-holly?
written by Lisa Briggs
Evergreen plants, with their apparent ability to defy winter’s death, have long been sacred to the celebrations of this time of year.
gardening in winter
written by Lisa Briggs
Gardening projects in this season don’t have to be large and they don’t need to be complicated. Simpler is better as far as we’re concerned.
rock around the christmas tree
written by Lisa Briggs
Before I started working at a garden center, late autumn could be a bit depressing. When colder mornings and cloudier skies are combined with leaves falling and perennials withering, I felt more than a twinge of sadness.
light up the darkness
written by Lisa Briggs
Now that Daylight Savings Time has had us all resetting our clocks, the shortening of each day as we head toward the Winter Solstice becomes more and more apparent. The term winter solstice marks the day when the earth’s axis tips us, and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, the farthest from the sun, so that the sun appears at its lowest and weakest point in the sky.
light the winter gloom
written by Lisa Briggs
I love the bustle of the winter holidays. If I regret taking on extra projects, the sight of family faces around the table at Thanksgiving makes all of the work worthwhile.
fall for autumn clean-up
written by Lisa Briggs
The crisp, white frost that we’ve seen on our lawns a couple of times is a sure sign that the planting season is waning. If you have the energy, you don’t have to put away your wheelbarrow, rakes and shovels yet. There are lots of important tasks to accomplish in the garden before we’re done for the year.
