How do you garden in the snow?
We spent New Year's at my mother-in-law's place in the mountains of far northern California near the Oregon border. It's a 3½ hour drive from home, and it's a different world. Located at an elevation of 3,500 ft., the town of Mount Shasta is accustomed to cold and snow. While 0°F (-18°C) isn't common, it's not unheard of either. The coldest night we had during our visit was 14°F (-10°C) on New Year's Day.
Even though I grew up in an area with very cold winters, I've gotten thin-skinned from living in a climate that experiences only a handful of nights below freezing. In fact, I'm getting to the point where even Davis (zone 9b) is too cold for me in the winter. Who knows, maybe a move to a more southerly clime is in my future?
As I was taking the photos in this post—some from inside the house, but most outside in temperatures in the low 20s—one thought kept coming back to me: What do gardeners do when their gardens are either frozen solid or covered with snow? For weeks, maybe months, on end?
I'm so used to puttering around outside all year long, even putting plants in the ground in the middle of the winter. I'd go stir-crazy if I weren't able to do that. Do gardeners in cold climates spend the winter planning for the growing seasons ahead, perusing plant catalogs, and placing advance plant orders? Or do they put gardening out of their minds altogether and focus on other interests?
As it was, four days of forced inactivity pushed me to my limits. I hung out with the family, did a lot of reading, including the excellent American Gardens by Monty Don, and watched movies, but invariably I got bored. Of course I could have spent time outside, but I simply don't like being cold. Plus, access to most of my MIL's garden was blocked by feet of snow.
I realize that if I lived in a cold climate, I would develop new routines and eventually find some sense of balance. Heck, I'd probably build a large heated greenhouse and spend all my time there!
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| Photo by Heather Bock |
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Hmm, what do cold climate gardeners do in winter? We: do a lot of assessing the 'bones' of the garden and viewing photos from last summer to decide on changes; have houseplants on every window ledge, table and under grow lights to putter with; read seed catalogues and actually start lots of perennials now as they need a period of vernalization; read lots of books especially with photos of gardens from warmer climes and we gaze out the windows and start counting the days until Spring.
ReplyDeleteHouseplants! You're so right. If I lived in a cold-winter climate, I'd have a lot more houseplants. Right now, we don't really have any except for a few sansevierias that need virtually no attention other than a very occasional watering.
DeleteI bet I'd find plenty of things to do that I couldn't even envision right now.
Like you I would find it very oppressive to be housebound all winter. But having grown up in LA and starting my gardening life in San Diego I do appreciate having some sort of winter which allows me to grow some of the herbaceous stuff that need chill. As far as I'm concerned winter is December and January and Feb is spring. I can put up with 2 months-it gives me a chance to work on indoor projects -closets bookcases etc. My gardening friends east of the Rockies hunker down in winter and some have set up growing operations in their basements under lights. I have spinach and kale growing outside now ..we are lucky to have winter crops !
ReplyDeleteTwo months is really all we have to contend with, January and February. I just finished an important indoor project--cleaning out my office. So much less clutter now!
DeleteCool photos! You used your time well taking them, if not gardening. I think I could handle a snowy winter with a heated glass conservatory full of tropicals--or one kept very dry, warm, and full of Aloes. We're due for warmer sunny weather, but looks like you up north might get a bit of rain.
ReplyDeleteDogka?
I'd definitely try to have a greenhouse or conservatory. A one-acre lot with a half-acre greenhouse, ha ha!
DeleteThe Dogka bottle is from a Costco dog toy set.
I expect your readers appreciate you sharing these lovely snow-covered vistas in a manner that can be enjoyed without any discomfort on their part. I know I do! According to weather forecasters, this December was one of the coldest and wettest on record for California. Even with the sun shining, I haven't felt comfortable working in the garden for more than an hour or so because it's been too darn cold! If I lived in a colder climate (and I'm keeping my options open to move north if our water becomes severely limited), I'd definitely get myself a nice heated greenhouse to putter in and start a lot more plants from seed.
ReplyDeleteThe sun FINALLY came out this afternoon, and it felt like a different world. Amazing what a difference even a little sunshine makes. The aloes have stopped growing. So many inflorescences in various stages of development, just waiting for a bit of warmth and sun...
DeleteIf water becomes more scarce, I'll switch to cactus and start collecting boulders!
These are all good questions, Gerhard! Our first three months with the rain, the cold and snow is still a novelty, an adventure -- especially so since we left an escape hatch to the zone 10 garden for February. The snowy week after Christmas was the first spent indoors nonstop, because walking outside was too hazardous on pavement where snow hid ice. The beauty in the changeable moods of the weather and skyscape is astounding though, so many more moods than SoCal. I use up a lot of physical energy in garden puttering too and this is quite the change! Lots of long walks with Billie helps...
ReplyDeleteAre you keeping a journal of your time in Tillamook? You should! It would make for a fascinating book! I'm not kidding.
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