Dear Elaine,
I am itching to get outside and garden. I guess that I have “cabin fever.” Any ideas on what to do to while away the time until the outdoor garden season starts? Thanks.
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
I think that many of us have cabin fever, myself included. I look out my window and see the bare-bones landscape, squirrels, birds and deer. It makes realize that there are “holes” in my landscape; places where I can see my neighbors and, I am sure, they can see me. I am a private person so planting trees and shrubs that block views is important to me. I have made a copy of my property survey and drawn future plantings according to sun/shade requirements and, soil acidity and drainage, and deer resistance.
While it is still cold and I am forced indoors, I like to “armchair garden.” Catalogs, books, websites and on-line blogs help with the dreariness of winter.
Catalogs
Businesses like Johnny’s, Austin Roses, White Flower Farm, Gardeners Supply, Burpee, Gurney’s, Spring Hill, Wayside Gardens and Plants Delight have colorful and informative catalogs, pretty enough for your coffee table. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a website that lists 40 garden catalog companies. Look up www.almanac.com.
Books
More educational and “coffee table worthy” books that have been released in the last couple of years include “The Hidden Life of Trees,” “The Gardens of Bunny Mellon,” “Garden Lust: A Botanical Tour of the World’s Best Gardens,” “The Drunken Botanist — The Plants that Create the World’s Great Drinks,” and anything printed by the Royal Horticultural Society or Rodale Press. No one says that you have to buy these books. Go to your local library to see what is on the shelf for a free loan.
Websites
Many of the above-mentioned businesses have websites for more garden information. Magazines like Fine Gardening and Garden Design have websites and newsletters that you may subscribe to. You might also check out www.treehugger.net for suggested garden websites. Or www.waytogarden.net and www.thespruce.com. There is so much out there, just Google it.
Blogs
A garden blog is an online journal where writers post articles about their choice of topics. A blogger is the author of the blog. Blogs are written by real people. They are informative (usually), opinionated and full of personality A variety of garden blog sites are available for review, and participation. I found many by Googling “list of garden blogs.” Pick the topic that interests you and enjoy! There are too many blogs to name in this garden column.
A trip to the library and/or bookstore is in order — before the next snowstorm. Drooling allowed!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Elaine Fogerty, Executive Director