Time is relative, and the flipping of the calender now is completely arbitrary. The Western world follows the Roman tradition of the Julian calender with January 1 as the New Year, but in other cultures, the New Year begins in spring or fall. The New Year used to begin in March in Venice, which would actually make more sense for gardeners. Regardless, humans have a need to recognize milestones, to find significance in dates, and so I cast my eyes onto the blank pages of the book of 2011 and start to dream winter gardening dreams and draw the first lines of the sketches.
I don't believe in making resolutions, but I do have ideas of things I'd like to do. I love the little fairy garden box that my friend Leslie of Growing a Garden in Davis has made for her granddaughter (which she has posted*). She was inspired by one she saw in Buffalo. I've decided I should make one for the girl, who loves arranging little things. This would be a good mother/daughter project for us.
I'm going to start more seeds in milk jugs as outdoor winter sowing. Last year was nearly a complete bust for growing annuals from seed. For some unknown reason, I'm good at transplanting tiny seedlings, so I think I'll have more luck with that.
Now that I've got my photography tools, I intend to delve deeper into the creative well to craft images that exist only in my mind.
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| Into the Woods |
Have you started armchair gardening? What new things do you plan to try this year?
*edited 1/4/11
24 comments:
MMD, I'm sorry you injured your hand. Yes the armchair gardening is in full swing. Looking at last summer's photos has been a real boost to my sagging mood. The countdown is on--spring please hurry. Good luck with your new digital sundries. Fun, fun, fun!
I just received my first seed catalog in the mail but I haven't opened it yet.
I hope you enjoy your new digital toys.
Sorry to hear about your hand.
I also plan on going back to photography this year, I have lost the habit and the practice.
So much plans for this new year
Grace & fer - I need to re-read what I wrote. My hand is fine, it's my creativity that needs help.
RNP - I've gotten a couple of catalogs, but I need more!
I am hoping to become a better photographer and maybe look into a course in Photoshop. I have already placed some orders and will soon be into full scale planning.
Eileen
I just left a message for someone regarding the satisfaction of 'armchair gardening'. It is quite gratifying and everything comes out perfect. The reality may differ but is better for the attempt. I will look forward to seeing more of your photo creations.
I keep wondering whether I should dig the whole thing up and start again - quite seriously. Today I've been gazing forlornly at the olive tree and thinking it is in quite the wrong place - but there's no moving it. So . . . my armchair thoughts are really centred on the autumn which will be the time to be radical (if ever I am!).
Esther
seeds bought, organic veggie plants ordered, grow light on its way and soon I will be trying winter greens indoors and starting some seeds...I have more luck with seeds started outside but some just need to be started indoors...trying to grow hatch green chilis this year from seed and they have to be started indoors...love them so much when I visit NM
It's evident you'll be having fun with your photography this year! Hopefully you'll continue to share some of the results. :-)
How's the heated birdbath doing?? I would say you're loving it (as well as the birds) by now. Happy 2011 MMD!
The latest issue of my favorite gardening magazine just arrived. It has provided me with inspiration for the first item on my Spring Wish/Project List: Purple leafed banana plants in pots...
I'm already choosing seeds and devising plans for my front border and north backyard border.
I love these quiet months, for rethinking and planning for next year. The seed catalogs enable a lot of fantasies :)
I for one am looking forward to seeing your creativity come to life in photos! I pillow gardened all night last night...you know, right when you are about to drift off to sleep, your eyes pop wide open and you think, yeah, maybe that plant will work in that area...
I have my 2011 Garden Journal ready for action but I have been too busy doing Christmas Bird Counts to even think much about this year yet. I will be looking forward to seeing some of your projects come to the fore.
B, that is one fantastic photo~Love it! Gardening in Zone 7 means we have a more then a few days here and there when the ground is not frozen and we can plant...But, not today, it's 19* out there...gail
You are so full of creativity, MMD, it is overflowing! I look forward to seeing what interesting stuff you come up with in 2011, and seeing you again, in Seattle, I hope! :-)
xxxooo
Frances
Really look forward to seeing what happens when you get going with photoshop + DSLR, as I already thought you creative! I thought I knew what I was armchair gardening about this winter, my back garden and tweaking a border. Now I have a new allotment, and can suddenly order seed potatoes and sweetcorn, so it is quite literally back to the drawing board!
Barbara, I look forward to seeing what more you can do with the camera. You are, in my book, already one of the best! H.
Your photo of the woods is fantastic! I can see you becoming more and more of an artist with your photography. Yes, I've been doing a lot of dreaming about plans for the spring--but I got sidetracked by visiting Leslie's post about the fairy garden box. Now I want to make one of those for my granddaughter!
You are a creative spirit. May you have plenty of time to explore all you want in the coming year. Happy New Year.~~Dee
It's always inspiring to see what you're up to, Barbara. I make no resolutions and haven't started to make any plans yet just because I'm going to be busy with the book promotions for a few months, and who knows how much time for gardening there will be? But I'll always have time for visiting blogs...Happy New Year, across the miles!
Eileen -taking a course is a good way to go. I just muck about and consult books.
Layanee - I'm never as satisfied with garden as I am in winter for that reason.
Esther - dig it up, start over. The best gardeners are constantly reinventing their gardens. (e.g., Helen Dillon)
Donna - I also do better with seeds started outdoors, so I wish you luck with your chilis.
Shady - the heated birdbath is a rank disappointment, but more on that later.
ROR - I can't wait to see what you do with the borders.
Cyndy - fantasies are good, as long as we remember reality when it comes time to place the order.
Lisa - I'm assuming you have birds to count. For some reason, all the birds here have started hiding, except for the crows.
Gail - sometimes I have zone 7 envy.
On plan this year is a flagstone patio in the back with hydrangeas as the backdrop and a second attempt at the vegetable garden. The last photo into the woods is really striking, but forgive me asking, what am I seeing? an arch?
Frances - yes, I'm looking forward to seeing you in Seattle too.
Plantalicious - that sounds so exciting. There's nothing like a blank slate to inspire.
Thanks, Helen.
Rose - I think a lot of people are going to be making a fairy box garden this year.
Thanks, Dee.
Jodi - You will be busy, promoting a book sounds like even more work than writing one. Congratulations.
I should try winter sowing, too. A few days ago, I sorted my seeds, getting rid of some that were too old.
After reading your question about armchair gardening, I just told my husband I may plant some lettuce seeds before it snows this weekend. They won't come up until the soil is warmer, but at least I won't have to wait until the last snow melts, and the ground is dry enough. If they don't come up, then I'll just plant more. Last year, I was the latest that I can remember in getting the first salad stuff planted.
Have fun with the photography stuff. Your photos are awesome!
How's your hand doing?
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