The North Pole is visiting OKC this week with temperatures forecast to be as low as -8F this weekend. It is going to be real interesting to see how the plants in my garden pull through. The survivors will be crowned winter champions. My last post was written about Imbolc and the start of Spring.…… Continue reading When the North Pole Comes to Visit
Imbolc 2021
This week we marked the start of Imbolc, which in the Gaelic tradition is a celebration of the start of Spring. We are about halfway between the Winter Solstice and Equinox. The days are lengthening and plant life is stirring. In observance of the day, I decided to go out into my garden to see…… Continue reading Imbolc 2021
Winter Seed Starting
Seed starting trays under lights indoors in January In the winter I spend a lot of time starting seeds and caring for seedlings. Seed starting is like everything else in the garden—there are lots of ways to do it. Over the years, my technique has evolved and, I hope, improved. These days I start almost…… Continue reading Winter Seed Starting
Turning the Winter Compost
I’ve wanted a compost thermometer for a long time, and I got one for Christmas. A thermometer is a useful piece of equipment to have if you are trying to make a whole bunch of compost. After a little bit of shopping around online, I purchased the ReoTemp Backyard PRO Compost Thermometer with the twenty-four…… Continue reading Turning the Winter Compost
Snow for the New Year
I should have paid more attention to the weather forecast yesterday. Because I did not expect the four hours of freezing rain and snow fall that followed overnight. We woke up to the garden landscape dressed in white for the second time in three weeks. The trees is my backyard have taken beating by winter…… Continue reading Snow for the New Year
Winter Garden Update
We had a good rain this week—about an inch and a half. My garden beds sure appreciated the soaking. The weather has been mostly sunny the last week or so, but a cold front came through last night. The low temperature in my greenhouse was 28F. It was colder outside, and it is going to…… Continue reading Winter Garden Update
Native Perennial Sowing for the New Year
One of the best things about this time year is the new beginnings it brings. This applies to life, and also to the garden. As we approach the solstice and the lengthening days beyond, now is the time to begin preparing for Spring. A box of seeds is a collection of hopes for gardens future…… Continue reading Native Perennial Sowing for the New Year
December Beginnings
The month is December. There is snow on the ground. We are staying warm inside. What better time for a new garden endeavor? These past few weeks I have been planning seed orders and planting schedules for the new year, and decided that the time has come to start a proper blog and website for…… Continue reading December Beginnings