How do YOU survive winter without being able to 'garden'?

[Janie2004]

Hi everyone.
This is my first time posting here.
I woke up to snow everywhere; looks like a winter wonderland the way it is sticking on every twig and branch.

I LOVE to work in my many perenial gardens from Spring thru Fall, but now is such a 'duh' time.

How do the rest of you fulfill your NEED to work with digging in the soil and planting and transplanting flowers?

In Janurary, I am going to re-pot my houseplants, I have started some cannas inside and they are several feet tall, and after Christmas will 'lust' through seed catalogs but do you have any other ideas for us dedicated gardeners for now when it is sooooo cold and the ground is frozen?

Sincerely, Janie from Northern Indiana :)

[spudtac]

I live in Kulm, North Dakota and winter comes to visit very early and does not know when to leave in the spring. I bring in flower pots of flowers and vegetables. I just went through my flower pots, checking for moisture, checking for the new flowers, etc. Last winter I had potatoes growing in pots all winter. This year I am still thinking about what to grow in flower pots. It makes the dark days much brighter.
spud greetings,
:roll: :D :shock: 8)

[Janie2004]

Hi Spudtac (What is your first name?)
Thanks for your reply!

What a GREAT idea to grow potatoes in a pot!
That sounds like a lot of fun and I am going to get some growing in some loose soil this afternoon!
(I have a pile of composted leaves that is such a fluffy and rich soil!)

We went to N. Dakota on a vacation from N. Indiana in 1966 to see the Presidents on Mount Rushmore...We also went to Calamity Jane's and Buffalo Bill's gravesite.
That was a looooong ways from home and I remember how curvy the mountain road was to where the presidents are located!
But it made a really nice memory....

We had a about 4 inches of snow so I built a nice snowman...
The neighbors enjoy driving by and seeing my snowmen every year..
I am 57 years old BUT young at heart!

I am already anxious for Spring! I love it when the perenials send their first green shoots!

Do you have some flowers that stay green? Like yucca and sweet rockets?
How do they keep from freezing and turning brown?
It is like they have their own anti-freeze.

It is nice corresponding with you, maybe some others will join in.
Love, Janie :)

[Janie2004]

Hi gardening friends. :roll:
Don't just 'view' this topic!
Join in the fun and add your thoughts!

Sincerely, Janie :) [/size]

[/b]

[hummerNut]

Hello Janie, the long winter, is a challenge to most of us snow covered gardeners, to be sure. All of the nursery and seed sites, help me plan, and see what's new for the coming year. Starting seeds, seems to signal, spring shouldn't be that far away. The first sprouts, that one finds, are a welcome to be sure.

[rubyred]

To get through the winter in Michigan , I`m going to try winter sowing this year for the first time. everybody says they have tons of new sprouts come spring,, so I`ve fallen for it and going to take the plunge!! :) I`ll be putting my seeds out next week or so. Been saving milk jugs like crazy and have over 150 new types of seeds to plant. Not sure if I`ll plant any more than 50 or so and I`ll be sure to save some of those for spring planting outside!. thanks for letting me share. Robin

[pruninggal]

It's really interesting to read what people in snow covered states do for gardening in the winter! I always thought I would go crazy if my garden was under snow for months.... when people move here (northwest) they ask how we garden in the rain but there's plenty to do here- everything is still visible at least!

[rubyred]

Does anybody else plan on Winter sowing?

[Janie2004]

Hi everyone. :D
I am glad to have all of you gardening friends joining in the conversation!

I wish there was a way to post digital pictures here!
We could show pictures of our gardens.
I live in the country and spend a lot of time in my perenial gardens.

My favorite thing to do, is dividing the plants, and transplanting and making more areas of colorful flowers!

Along our country road, I have dug up the sod and planted all kinds of flowers for 500 feet...People love to go by and I love for them to enjoy the beauty! Lots of color all spring and summer and fall....But now none!
(Still a little green left.)

Ruby Red, do you mean by winter sowing, that you are going to plant seeds inside in pots and then place them under a light or in a sunny window?

I think of winter sowing also, when we plant seeds, such as wildflowers in the late winter, directly outside...I plant my heirloom dbl. poppies the beginning of March so they will plant themselves as the snow melts.
They need the freezing in order for the seeds to stratify.

I have my 'potato' wrapped in a wet towel, trying to get the 'eyes' to sprout so I can plant it as suggested by Spudtac!..
It will be fun to watch it grow.

Have any of you planted tulips or other bulbs and stored in a cold place for forcing inside later?

Love, Janie :)

[Newt]

I too plan on winter sowing, but when I do it I sow the seeds in flats and put them outside. They come up when they're ready. Here's a site that explains how and a forum dedicated to it. Be sure and read the FAQ's as it explains how to do it.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/wtrsow/

Here's another where you can get ideas for the winter garden.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/winter/

I've never forced bulbs, but I just might next year.
Newt