Western Gardening

By Judy Miller December 20, 2005 – Posted in: Miscellaneous, Weather

Hi Kathy–
It’s been hanging around zero for a few weeks, rather boring. I re-plowed the lane yesterday in advance of today’s sleet, as it had drifted a bit and I didn’t want it to become impenetrable with ice.
I had to laugh at the Sunset magazine (the main Western gardening/lifestyle magazine since the ‘teens or so)–they have me in the NW section and the cover article was ‘Cozy Winter Patios, 10 great ways to enjoy your backyard now’– pictures of lounges & settees and fireplaces, potted plants, all outside—–hilarious to contemplate when it’s 0 degrees F. I think I’ll have them switch me to the intermountain section, I don’t have much truck with Cheyenne or Billings but the gardening advice for this month was likely not building a trellis in the garden for the berries….. 😉
The elk & turkeys have been visiting-the elk are lots more welcome than the turkeys. One day about 40 of the elk sauntered slowly past, obviously chatting with each other, a big extended family. Even two ‘elkicorns’, young bulls with each a right antler only, and that one the same mis-shape. Twins I assume. They were tussling a bit but nothing serious.
Working on seed orders for spring and getting hopelessly lost in all the catalogs & on-lines—-I’m investigating pansy varieties for cutting now, and more primula varieties, and herbs…. (the agastaches are totally invisible to deer and elk, for instance!)

About the Author

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4b/5aLocation: rural; just south of British Columbia/Idaho borderGeographic type: foot of Black & Clifty Mountains (foothills of Rockies–the Wet Columbia Mountains in BC climate- speak)Soil type:acid sand (glacial lake bed)/coniferous forestExperience level: intermediate/professionalParticular interests: fragrant & edible plants, hardy bulbs, cottage gardening, alpines, peonies, penstemons & other blue flowers, primulas, antique & species roses & iris; nocturnal flowers Also: owner of Paradise Gardens Rare Plant Nursery

Speaking of Pansies

A Detox Program for Addicted Gardeners

Now, the digging and dividing of perennials, the general autumn cleanup and the planting of spring bulbs are all an act of faith. One carries on before the altar of delayed gratification, until the ground freezes and you can’t do any more other than refill the bird feeder and gaze through the window, waiting for the snow. . . . Meanwhile, it helps to think of yourself as a pear tree or a tulip. You will blossom spectacularly in the spring, but only after the required period of chilling.

~Adrian Higgins in The Washington Post, November 6, 2013

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