Winter garden dreaming

“All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar.”
~Helen Hayes

Although winter, in the past, has always been a dreary time of year for me, I welcome, as a gardener, the thought that it is a time for “rest” for Mother Nature. She performs so majestically from the beginning of spring with vibrant hints of greening grass and small, tight buds covering our trees, that a time of rest seems not only welcomed, but very much deserved. But there is another thought to ponder about this situation. And that is the deserving “break” of the gardener as well.

We avid gardeners need a little winter break physically from bending, pulling, hauling, dragging and bending. So physically we can relax a little, while permitting our minds do some winter work.

With the arrival of this cold, (brrrrrrr), season, I have successfully planted my spring bulbs, brought in all of the garden “art” that will not survive the clutches of old man winter, emptied my water fountain, and thrown away all dead growth from plants that have said their final  annual goodbyes. However a gardener’s work is never really completely done. I still have “gardening” things to do. But the chores can now be done comfortably from my easy chair and the kitchen table, where I do lots of my spring planning.

One of the ideas that I have been working on this week is the addition of a small herb garden. I plan to feature one galvanized bucket of each of the herbs I use most in my cooking, where they will sit outside on my patio within easy reach. They are parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. (Remember Simon and Garfunkel’s 1966 hit song?)

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Now, here’s where the proverbial “light bulb” above my head came on! I am having a carpenter friend use a template that I have sketched, and cut from wood a musical note. Four of them. Above each  planted herb I will place a freshly painted black musical note with the name of that herb printed across the note… Are you with me?? Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme…( are you singing the song?) I’ll post a picture in the spring.

Now is also the perfect time to carefully read and watch those posts in Flea Market Gardening Facebook page, posted by gardeners across the United States and the world, who are sharing their ideas and projects daily. Take advantage of this wonderful tool.

David Brinkley, the notable US newscaster, once wisely said, “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” In gardening prospective, consider those “bricks” as ideas!

Garden totem birdbath

I love garden totems.  Although easy to assemble and create, they do require taking some time not only in finding the exact perfect pieces but to allow each assembled piece to correctly “cure”,  assuring the stability of your totem. Winter is the perfect time to visit the thrift shops and search for those pieces. I made this adorable glass totem bird bath a couple of winters ago and let it cure in my basement while I anxiously awaited the day to take it outside, fill it with water, and let the birds enjoy! And they did!

Million bells or calibrachoa

Speaking of searching the thrift stores, and getting ideas on Flea Market Gardening on how to make pretty garden containers, both of these containers (galvanized bucket and an old funnel) were featured on the site last winter… What unique ways to display the beautiful flower called Million Bells?

Marie Niemann’s funnel full of flowers

Well, I seem to have a good start on planning my spring show. By changing things in your gardens, as well as adding more through reading magazines and seed catalogs and collecting ideas from other gardeners, you’ll certainly be on your way to a beautiful and creative Spring 2013! The challenge will be fun.
Do you have a project that is in your mind, ready to be put on paper, and then into your garden? Who or what inspired you?

Happy planning, Jeanie