Wednesday, January 19, 2022

January, the Longest Month in the Year for Gardeners!

January is a month that has many of us dreaming and planning for better things to come!

As a  avid gardener, I know that this month in particular is probably the one I wish would pass by quickly.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not wishing my time away, rather, I want to see something other than snow and cold temperatures.  

In past years I get through this month with a trip to the south where I can soothe my soul on a beach or sitting poolside and dreaming about how to bring this beautiful weather back home with me.

Palm trees silhouette with setting sun background

Alas, as we all know this has not been possible for the past couple of years due to pandemic travel restrictions.  
 
So what can I do to combat this seasonal depression that seems to envelope me and many of my friends?

Well let me tell you what works for me and maybe, just maybe you could try it and see if it works for you too!

The internet is wonderful for daydreaming and even most browsers will send you lovely pictures from all over the world,  When I find one I particularly like, I will google that location and see what I can learn about that particular spot.

This past week I had pictures of Machu Picchu, Portugal and  Columbia!  That's just to name a few places I have had come up on my screen just this past week.   

If that doesn't get you dreaming, I don't know what will.

But let's get back to some reality.  I don't think travel will be in my near future (at least until our COVID situation changes) so I'm back to dreaming closer to home.

As an avid gardener, my other daydreaming is all about growing things when the season moves from winter to spring.   

Seed catalogues are a staple in our home.  If you are looking for a magazine to read, it will usually be a Gardening magazine!  In between those magazine, you will find seed catalogues from several different suppliers and growers.  

Now you have to be careful with seed catalogues and where they originate.   Many countries will not allow over the border sharing of plants and seeds (rightly so).  My feelings on this are that this is a prudent way to do business, especially when it comes to live plants.  We have seen invasions of many detrimental and invasive species take over when they find a new hone that they happen to like.  Just one small example is the KUDZO vine which seems to grow unhindered in the south.  

Please don't try bringing plants across borders without the proper growth certificates and permissions.  

But we are supposed to be dreaming, not having nightmares, so let's get back on track.

I love my Gardening Magazines and keep them for reference and the pretty pictures.

In Canada we have many to choose from including The Gardener Magazine.  I love it because it does focus on Canadian sources, growing zones and is full of really good information!

what inspires you banner with purple flowers



In the USA, you have several different choices as there are so many more growing zones in your country.  You can focus on magazines that will show you beautiful shrubs, vines, plants and vegetables that will grow well in your particular "zone" or you can get magazines that encourage you to become a better gardener.  The Spruce has a list of 9 of the best magazines for gardeners in the States (you can also use some of these here in Canada as references) !  

There will be pictures of birds, flowers, garden plans and anything else that will make a true gardener's heart go pitter pat for a long time.  

You can treat yourself to a magazine subscription to some of the best magazines available right here at Magazine Deals.com!  You just need to put "Gardening" in the search box. 

I know that you will find something that just tickles your gardener's fingers. I know that are itching to get back in the ground. This will keep you dreaming and planning until you can actually get your hands dirty!  It works for me and I always learn something new too!  

Don't let yourself get caught up in what you can't do right now, rather spend that time dreaming up ways that you can do something new in the coming months.  

Plant a garden, learn a new technique for growing your favorite vegetables or learn about keeping the bees and birds happy!  All of these topics and more are right at your fingertips when you immerse yourself in a great gardening magazine.  

Here is hoping that you don't find the winter too long and that your itchy fingers will find some relief when your eyes behold some of the beauty that can be yours with just a little dreaming and planning.

poetry on a floral card


 



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13 comments:

  1. I remember my grandmother (a truly avid gardener) sitting in her favorite rocking chair, ignoring the snow outside her window, while she spent hours going through gardening magazines and seed catalogues. She had beautiful flower gardens and loved every minute she spent gardening. Winter was just a time to 'get through' until gardening time arrived again.

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    1. This is so true for most gardeners. They dream through January and February start buying seeds in march and then prepare all the pots and things in April......it's a very healthy and satisfying way to spend the winter months!

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  2. My sister is an avid gardener who, like you, peruses her favorite seed catalogs to get her through the winter months. I don’t think she has a gardening magazine subscription, though, so that might make a nice gift for her!

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    1. I have garden magazines that I never throw away, they are my one true impulse purchases when I'm out shopping for other things. I just see the pretty covers and they have to come home with me. I subscription would help me too I think! It's a perfect gift and not too expensive and they will deliver it to her for a whole year or more.....

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  3. January is a hard month for multiple reasons and I certainly have to feel it with pleasant activities like reading. Magazines and catalogs are truly marvelous! They do provide an escape as well as helping us make a plan. A great way to be productive in January.

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    1. Dreaming and planning are two wonderful things to do during those long winter nights. Having garden magazines and seed catalogues handy makes the planning part even easier.

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  4. Olivia Thank you so much for all of your great tips. I am sure they are really helpful to the avid gardner. I am one of those people who wants my gardens to look "picture perfect" I just don't want to do it myself. I'd rather spend my time on my photography. Wish you lived closer so I could hire you to take care of my gardens :)

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    1. I would be there in a heartbeat Mary Beth to help you out! Gardeners really do love playing in other peoples gardens with permission! I have the permission, now I just need to get there!

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  5. Olivia, thanks for the excellent tips on researching plants and locations. I find myself fussing a bit more with my indoor plants, and really enjoy that I have them! One of my cousins has such a green thumb that the inside of her house, even the winter, looks like a greenhouse - I also find buying plants for the inside in the winter, soothing.

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    1. Oh you are welcome Barbara, Plants make a house a home in my humble opinion! A little green in the home is always a welcome sign. As lovely as pets, but not as demanding. Plants in the winter add just a little bit of hope to a dreary world sometimes. Thank you!

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  6. What a fantastic way to get through this cold month. Preparing and planning for the spring planting season is a perfect way to pass the time. Thanks, Olivia

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    1. I agree Sam, I'm sure you are doing your fair amount of planning for the upcoming year too!

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  7. I love planning for the garden in January. I over wintered my pepper plants so I've looking forward to seeing how they do. Bulbs are already flowering in my shed - so neat. I don't know about you Olivia, but deciding what new things I want to try growing is a challenge for me. Since Covid I've had to rethink what to grow due to the lack of supplies, but it's still exciting. So blessed to be able to grow food and flowers.

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