These cold and dreary winter days make me long for spring, warm weather and gardening. Is there anything to do to get out of the “cabin fever” mood?

Thanks,
Luna

Dear Luna,

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“Cabin fever” therapy can be as simple as interacting with nature. How about going for a walk through Laurelwood Arboretum? The trees and shrubs are gorgeous when frosted with a covering of snow. Watch for the many critters scurrying about the grounds. Sit in the Gazebo on Brook Road and listen to the wind, birds, people talking.

This is also the season I call “armchair gardening.” Read a garden magazine or two — Fine Gardening, The Garden Gate, The English Garden, Horticulture, Organic Gardening, Birds and Blooms, Martha Stewart Living.  Drooling allowed! The magazines are for sale at grocery stores, big box stores, and book stores. Or borrow them from your public library.

Seed and plant catalogs are beginning to arrive in the mail. Or go on-line: Agway, Brecks, Burpees, Johnny’s Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Gurneys, Park, Stoke, Spring Hill Nursery, Monrovia, Wayside Gardens and White Flower Farm.

For all of you bird watchers, please participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 17-20, 2017. This Cornell University-sponsored program keeps track of the songbird population trends:  www.birdcount.org.

Garden clubs and organizations abound. How about the NJ Hosta Society, North American Rock Garden Society/Watnong Chapter, Native Plant Society (bergenpassaic@npsnj.org)? There are lots more garden sites; just Google your garden or plant interest for more information and websites.

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If you would like to read garden blogs and catch up with garden writers, check out their individual websites at www.gardenwriters.org.

Get out of the house and go to the New Jersey Flower and Garden Show, NJ Convention Center, Edison, from February 24 to 26, www.njflowershow.com.

Other programs and events:

Philadelphia Flower Show, March 11-19, www.theflowershow.com

Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County Garden Symposium, Stuart Country Day School, Princeton, March 11, www.mgofmc.org

Rutgers Home Gardeners’ School, New Brunswick, NJ, March 18, www.cpe.rutgers.edu

Don’t worry. Before long the winter aconites, snowdrops and Cornelian cherry trees will be blooming!

Cheers!
Elaine Fogerty
Executive Director

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