Hello Winter, you have certainly decided to be record-breaking this year. This week I’ve heard from friends in southern states with record breaking snowfall and plummeting temps! The pictures don’t even look real! My big question now is how long will it last. Probably not too long in the southern states but up here — might be another thing! 😳🥶 This is that time of year that I tell Mr. G that it’s not coming back. Things are too cold and and too dead, it’s not coming back. He hands me a cup of coffee and says, “don’t worry, it always come back.” He’s the best. ……..Ahh spring, oh the miracle you are!! And you’ll be back in about 55 days.

You know who IS enjoying this weather? The birds. G has been keeping them well fed and they have rewarded us by their presence and thier song! SOOOO MANY. Look at this handsome guy…

Bluebirds routinely play in my Potting Shed window box. They are so precious! I hope they nest close by! Take a look…

WINTER SOWING 2025

During this kind of season I hear Mr. Rogers in my ear singing, 🎶”Let’s think of something to do while we’re waiting.”🎶 Anyone remember that one??

One super fun thing we get to do while we are waiting on spring is Winter Sowing!! 🥳

And, winter Sowing is happening here but honestly I was almost afraid to put anything outside. How cold is toooo cold!

Winter sowing truly is one of my favorite gardeny things. So little investment in time and material. It allows me to experiment more too! Each year I plant some seeds I’ve never tried before. If you are new to winter sowing or want to know what I have done in the past… check out another post here. 

NEW TO ME THIS YEAR…

(Links to companies provided.)

I’m trying some new colors of Nasturtiums – Tip Top Pink Blush and Cherry Rose Jewel.

Love Coneflowers and want a yellow one, so I’m trying a new variety to me Mellow Yellow.

Phlox Sugar Stars – such sweet colors

Onion: Yellow of Parma – Over the moon about this one! Confession, I have a thing about onions and they seem to be hard for me to grow. Thank’s Stef from Hooked and Rooted for the inspiration. Find her here.  https://www.youtube.com/@HookedandRooted

One of my favorites is Gomphrena and I’m trying some new colors: Lavender Lady, Raspberry Cream, Audray Purple Red, and Audray White. SO MANY. I may have to call this garden season the “Year of the Gomphrena”! Last year it did so well!!! This is a no fuss plant going strong from early summer to frost! I used them in so many arrangements and they dry beautifully.

Trying a new variety of Larkspur: Katy’s Picot Larkspur.

Trying a new Sweet Pea that someone recommended as fragrant and has loads of blooms but I can’t remember who – Jewels of Albion  This is a custom blend esclusive to Renee’s Gardens! Here’s what Renees has to say about it… “EXCLUSIVE – Our custom blended color palette of especially fragrant antique varieties offers both beautiful cool shades and plants with significantly more heat tolerance than other sweet pea varieties. You’ll have a succession in bloom with “Flora Norton” (pastel blue), “Lord Nelson” (deep blue), “Mrs. Collier” (creamy-white), “Lady Grisel Hamilton” (pastel lavender) and “Captain of the Blues” (mauve-blue). This lovely perfumed mix blooms on strong climbing vines that easily cover a trellis or fence.”

And finally, I am super excited about a new, exclusive Zinnia from Johnnys Seeds… Ballerina!! Have you seen it? Soooo pretty!

I’m sure there will be more to come. Do you have a recommendation for me?

GETTING TO KNOW YOU WALL

This week I started the 3rd annual GETTING TO KNOW YOU WALL.

I started doing this “wall” in my potting shed with info about new plants I’m adding to the garden or plants I added last year that I want to keep an eye out for. Since I have a very established garden, this is such a great help in determining just where I want to plant them in the garden. And, not to miss the ones I planted last year!

ROSE CHAT

It is almost time for ROSE CHAT 2025 and I am super excited! The lineup is stellar. So many wonderful rosy people will join me! If you missed it, here’s the ad from New Years. Newley added to this list is Dee Nash of Red Dirt Rambling. Looking forward to a wonderfully rosy year!

The February guests are Jason Croutch of Fraser Valley Rose Farm and Leon Ginenthal the owner of Der Rosenmeister Rose Nursery in New York.

Last year Jason joined me to talk about growing roses in containers. He had so many tips and tricks. LISTEN HERE

The last time Leon was with me we chatted about rambling roses, his garden is filled to the brim with these beauties and he had a great deal of advice and insight! LISTEN HERE

If you have cabin fever, there is a gorgeous video on YouTube of Leon’s amazing garden… check it out here. You can almost smell the roses!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

Friends, I hope you are safe and staying warm and have plenty of time to dream and plan! I know dreaming and planning is keeping me going! I’ve even found a new place for another arbor with roses!!! 🎉 Can you believe it!! More about that later. 

Until next time, sending warm wishes from the Potting Shed where everything is quite crowded but cozy and warm! Outside – not so much!