Just as the last patches of snow were melting in this shaded, slow to thaw garden, here comes another few inches. With typical for February, mild temperatures forecast for midweek, this snow should melt quickly, and there seems a possibility that suitable weather to get started on winter chores might be around the corner. No doubt, winter’s chill is likely to return, but following a cold January a few warmer days will be encouraging.

There is little reason that the winter cleanup must be started in February. Often, little is accomplished in this garden before mid-March when there is increased urgency, but with the lack of any activity in this chilly and snowy January, I look forward to any days when fallen branches can be gathered without slip sliding on icy patches. Leaves will be removed from hellebores to speed developing flowers, but little else must be done in a hurry.

Each day I notice another branch broken in the dogwoods and Japanese maples that will require cleaning up, pruning jagged breaks to the next lower branch. No damage should be disfiguring, and no harm is done by delaying repairs until a warm, sunny March afternoon.