Winter is Winding Down

The northstate gardens can suffer from harsh cold spells and damaging winds. The Recovery Garden is mostly protected from strong winds, but frost and freeze can take their toll. Yet, this last week the garden has started to come alive with perennials awakening, bulbs preparing for spring bloom, and the apple tree leafing out. Some of this early spring-like garden behavior can be attributed to the mild last four weeks. In this area, the risk is for an early bloom that can be damaged by late season cold snaps and storms. Our gardening groups are picking nice days to prune back, weed (a chronic, nasty part of gardening!), and getting ready for spring planting. Gardening this time of year is a challenge and guessing game against Mother Nature. The gamble can be early reward with color if plantings are not damaged. There can also be heartbreak as tender growth may be damaged. Spring is around the corner, and that means the next season of growth is upon us.