Stacey Weichert, like many gardeners, spent summer days tending garden with her grandparents and parents. This is where she learned the value-both organically and economically-of growing your own fruits and vegetables.
Stacey has worked a 30 year career in floral design and retail gardening.
Her garden is located in southern Minnesota and features a greenhouse, unique potting shed, kitchen garden, perennials and fruit trees. Her garden and blog, www.downtoearthdigs.com have been featured in national publications.
Stacey teaches gardening classes and lectures locally on herb gardening, growing naturally, and the process of building a garden over time.
Winter is sometimes long and difficult in my little zone 4 garden. The days are short and sometimes the sunshine disappears for weeks. The temperatures dip to unbearably cold numbers and the winds take your breath away.
My mind wanders to gardening, I dream in green”¦
I turn to past garden images to inspire, plan and seek some winter relief.
Seedlings, freshly turned planting beds, stacks of clay pots, containers of potting mix; all images of the remind me of the days that I long for.
Keeping a photo journal has become my most helpful garden tool. Clicking through saved images; showing the garden journey from seed to harvest.
Reviewing the previous season while the snow covers the beds is a great way to quiet my mind and help create the new season’s plans.
Reviewing past gardens helps me to remember that Spring will arrive. The sun will shine and the ground will warm. Perennials will erupt from the thawing ground and green will replace the white and brown. I anxiously await the day tiny leaves burst from the trees that surround the garden. Spring arrives with a lime green wave that takes over the landscape.
To start a visual garden journal is easier now then ever. Most people have a cell phone near them and using the camera on your phone is an easy way to record the garden from the simple moments, plant successes and failures, glorious blossoms and tasty vegetables.
I share my images on my blog Down to Earth Digs. Starting a visual journal will help you enjoy your garden outside of your growing season.
Winter is a rest for the garden, but my mind is already at work. For the next few months, I will continue to dream in shades of green!
Here is a list of tasks that help me through the winter days.
1. Make a list of plant failures and successes.
2. Review seed catalogs and place orders early to insure the availability
3. Review gardening books or use the internet to refresh yourself on plant needs.
4. Make a list of garden maintenance goals; winter can be harsh on garden sheds, and fences.
5. Visit your local garden centers and greenhouses; ask about the new trends and take a stroll through a greenhouse to soak up the warm and green environment.
6. Treat yourself to new garden gloves and a pair of garden boots!
