Has the cold, snow and ice gotten the better of you? Are you just itching to get out and do something constructive with that green but solidly frozen thumb of yours?
The scene may be bleak out in the garden, but there are still plenty of things to keep a northern gardener in a positive frame of mind. Here are a few events, winter activities, and thoughts that may help to lift that winter gloom…
Long Range Weather Forecast; Clear Skies and Short Months Ahead
We’ve had lots of snow here in Pennsylvania already, so my reasoning is that we’ve gotten it all out of the way and will see blue skies from now until the spring thaw. Sorry all you skiers and boarders out there but I’ve had my fill of snow, highlighted by a recent camping trip spent in two feet of the stuff!
One thing is certain, and that is that we’re halfway through January already and March will be rolling around before you know it! The days really are getting longer and brighter. Maybe I’m hallucinating a bit on this one, but I could swear I saw something green peeking up through the snow in the garlic bed the other day.
As strange as it may seem it is almost time to start planting some of those garden seeds like leeks that take forever to get going and need weeks of pampering indoors under lights. I’ve also been planting some seeds from tropical store bought fruits to try and cultivate them as annual ornamentals for the patio this year.
Sustainable Farming Conferences and Conventions
A local bright spot is the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture’s (PASA) annual conference which begins in just a few weeks. This year’s theme is “The Sustainable Challenge: Providing for a Livable Tomorrow” and the conference will offer the usual mix of interesting sustainable agriculture lectures, workshops, and seminars.
If you’re too far away to visit look for local conferences in your area that are sponsored by groups such as the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). Here is a link to an upcoming organic conference in Saratoga Springs, New York.
March is sure to bring a flurry of Home Builder Shows, Gardening Expos, and smaller gardening workshops to nudge the gardener out of hibernation. This is a good time to scout around for the dates of annual spring gardening events to ensure that they don’t pass by unnoticed.
Cozy Up to Your Favorite Seed Catalog or Gardening Newsletter
The stack of heirloom seed catalogs trickling in through the mail is still growing but I’m set to begin sorting through them to get my orders together. A cold, windy weekend is a perfect time to sit at the computer and get that seed order placed to beat the spring rush and avoid missing out on sold out varieties.
Many of the gardening blogs go dormant during the winter months but one way to satisfy the desire for fresh green content is to subscribe to an organic gardening monthly such as the Gardening Secrets Newsletter. Speaking of which, the latest issue was all about seeds and some of my favorite seed companies.
It included links to those favorite seed suppliers and great sources for locating rare, unusual, and heirloom seeds that are ideal for the home gardener. It’s not too late to join the newsletter email list and get caught up on all the back issues that you have missed. Just follow the link to Subscribe Now; it’s FREE and your email address will never be shared!
Stay Tuned and in Touch with Veggie Gardening Tips
Things may be a tad slower, but there is no winter break here at Veggie Gardening Tips, and plans are in the works for lots of new articles on topics such as Aquaponics, Growing in Tunnels, Cultivating Micro-Greens, and other topics to chase away the Winter Blues. A couple of your favorite guest bloggers will be stopping by as well.
I’m currently working on a couple of exciting new projects that will sprout soon so stick around, or better yet sign on to the Veggie Gardening Tips RSS feed. That’s an easy way to stay updated on the latest articles, informed about what’s coming next, and motivated to hold on until Spring returns!
If you have your own prescription for curing a seasonal case of the gardening winter blues please share it with us in the comment section below.
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