Gardens, Wide Appeal and Potential

[flowerbug]

make sure if they are actual grow lights with UV that you have proper eye protection! some types do have UV and others don't.

i don't really get depressed by winter because i have so much to keep me busy. if anything i find it a way to rest up a little, to read and get caught up on things i normally don't have as much time for. cleaning up and sorting beans. i have some web site things i should do. eventually shovelling snow, trying to get some walks in, etc. i do like the change of the seasons. not that i really like being cold, but what it does mean is that eventually there are spring flowers on the way.

what really helps me is to think of the days getting shorter, but really we have only about 60-70 days before solstice and then the days start getting longer again so it isn't too bad as once we get over that shorter day i can just keep telling myself that spring is on the way!

i don't have enough room inside to grow much. that is quite a change from my childhood where i had shelves of houseplants and lights for them and those would be something i could take care of through the winter. i had a poinsettia tree that was about six years old by the time i left for college. i don't know what happened to all the plants. i think Mom gave them away and whatever she couldn't she probably threw away. she's not one for holding on to things...

 

[digitS']

What I especially enjoy about winter:

Freshly Fallen Snow. But, that may have something to do with light, as well. Shoveling it is okay; there is some meaningful activity involved.

I was just telling DW, as we are cleaning up the front yard, what I need to be doing. Every little thing is outdoors! It's difficult to have enough daylight and be able to function in the cold temperatures, etc.

Steve
who should also admit to having the enjoyment of a winter cup of coffee about whenever he wants it

 

[Zeedman]

Steve
who should also admit to having the enjoyment of a winter cup of coffee about whenever he wants it

 

[seedcorn]

 

[thistlebloom]

What I especially enjoy about winter:

Freshly Fallen Snow. But, that may have something to do with light, as well. Shoveling it is okay; there is some meaningful activity involved.

I was just telling DW, as we are cleaning up the front yard, what I need to be doing. Every little thing is outdoors! It's difficult to have enough daylight and be able to function in the cold temperatures, etc.

Steve
who should also admit to having the enjoyment of a winter cup of coffee about whenever he wants it

There is something cheery about new snow. I agree about the light Steve, it brightens up this dark time of year. It also covers those little garden tasks I didn't make time for, so it's a relief to not have to look at them.

And something hot to drink when you come in is comfortably enjoyable too.

 

[digitS']

This thread came to mind when I saw "Contrary" @Gardening with Rabbits 's cartoon just posted.

She doesn't seem all that "contrary," does she? To you?

The word somehow suggests being out of balance. Maybe others just see it as resistant to the common practice but "Mary," as in "Quite Contrary," might be headstrong to a fault. Most of us maintain a balance and, rightly so, resist extremes. Extremes are frigid or fiery, inhospitable. The middle ground certainly doesn't need to be static. Growth and change are natural. Stand still and moss grows under our feet.

"Truth is perhaps ... a dynamic compound of opposites, savage contraries for a moment conjoined." ~ A B Giamatti

Savage? Well, we can make of that what we will .

Steve