4th Day, beat the winter blahs

From the rain forests of south-east Alaska to the deciduous forests of the Mid-Atlantic regions, winter advisories abound. Still, regardless of cold bleak winter days, there is the promise of planting seasons anew.

During the holiday season, a challenge is issued to identify and give ‘gifts of plow’; and to break out of the winter blahs, become a home and garden event traveler. So, while the month of January is celebrated as 'national garden catalog' month, the focus can continue into February, too.



Array of garden catalogs supply ideas for garden projects.

 



On cold winter weather days, when others prefer to read a book by the hearth, as a person who 'digs in the dirt', I sort through prior year garden project receipts and seed packets, update my garden journal, review 'dog eared' garden articles of interest; and plan new season projects. For, it is an excellent time to discard prior year landscape garden printed material clutter as well as review new arrival catalogs for planting project ideas.

Specific to purchases, I start with a local 'feed and seed' retail store such as Southern States. Next, in the spirit of 'buy-local', acquire purchases from a regional supplier such as central Virginia’s Southern Exposure Seed Exchange; and then, focus on 'brand name' product producers for example Proven Winners or Stepables which are purchased through local vendors, too.

While a novice gardener could find such a process overwhelming, purchasing buy-local offers the benefit of on-site expertise; and for those who choose to place orders with non-regional vendors, most suppliers do provide an assortment of prepackaged garden projects.

An event intended to inspire gardeners nation-wide, 'national garden catalog' month is the opportunity to identify plants well-known for their sustainability such as Renee’s Garden Seeds and explore new release plants for example the "VT Spirit" lily offered by Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.

Whether paper print or on-line catalog format, to identify resources, there is a very useful web site Cyndi's Catalog of Garden Catalogs which provides access to all categories of landscape garden supplies. Niche resources can be further identified through the on-line option 'Google search' or through national organizations such as the National Gardening Association or American Horticulture Society; and, there are regional resource options such as garden clubs, community Extension Services, or horticulture educational sites for example public gardens.

To resolve the blahs of the winter season, join others who celebrate and extend national garden catalog month. As gardeners, we not only have opportunities to make a difference through personal choices but can influence others to create an eco-legacy of healthy green space, both rural and urban. For additional eco tips and strategies, visit web site TheWrightScoop.