This is not a blizzard. In fact, this has been a gentle snowfall, perhaps four or five inches deep, and notable only because it’s the deepest snow we’ve experienced in a few years. I would be happy enough to do without, but no damage was done. With several chilly days ahead the snow will be…

Today is blustery and cold, barely above freezing by mid afternoon, but the sun is shining after several damp days so I must get out into the garden. There are no chores that must be done immediately, but areas of hellebores have become congested by seedlings, so this seems a reasonable task for the day…

After viewing a presentation on public gardens scattered across this country, I was reminded to revisit my photos of gardens in the Pacific Northwest in June 2018 and 2019 that most inspire me. Photos of Bloedel Reserve, Heronswood (both in Washington), the Portland Japanese Garden, and the conifer display at Iseli Nursery (in Oregon) are…

Rest. Relax. Piddle around the garden’s edges if the weather’s nice, but keep it short. There’s plenty of time to get the few priorities on the worklist done before spring. There are three seasons when there’s some urgency to get things done. Now is not one of them. First on the list, and probably the…

No doubt, there are periods when every gardener whines about the weather, wishing to be someplace drier, wetter, warmer, or cooler. In mid January I am most likely to be dreaming of South Carolina, not deeper into the south, but a moderate change from my Virginia garden with less severe cold and a winter shorter…

Planning for spring has begun, though currently details are quite fuzzy and certainly there will be additional inspirations as the winter drags on. There is plenty of time to figure what goes where prior to the spring planting season (March or later), but getting an idea of areas to be added to helps to avoid…

There is at least some small benefit to having a second set of eyes (my wife) to observe the garden, if for no other reason than to prevent the gardener (me) from going too far astray. No doubt, I must be reined in on occasion, and it is fortunate that at some point in the…

I am guilty of occasionally looking ahead, no matter that this inevitably gets hopes up that are likely to be disappointed. With a mild start to winter, I cannot help but glance at the thirty day winter forecast that remarkably predicts only a few nights falling into the teens (Fahrenheit), and none colder. Consecutive years…

Unsurprisingly, snowdrops (Galanthus, below) displayed their first glimpse of color in late December, though peak bloom is proceeding slowly in the new year. Flowers of early types are often revealed prior to the new year, and if not covered by a blanket of snow, early and later blooming snowdrops will help satisfy the gardener through…

A long ago constructed section of the dry stacked stone wall retaining the lower end of the koi pond leaned, then collapsed a few months ago. The soil is stable so there is no rush to restack the wall. Access is complicated by a wide spreading spruce (Picea abies ‘Acrocona’) with pendulous branching, and earlier…