On Thursday, we awoke to seven inches of fresh snow, with another seven or so added throughout the day--along with blustery winds gusting up to 50 mph. We're still digging out, but there's no doubt now we'll have a white Christmas.
So, autumn is long-gone for me. But I'm thankful for the folks who participated in the meme. All of our lessons from the past season will be helpful as we prepare for the next growing season.
Thanks to:
Holley at Roses and Other Gardening Joys, who says she hasn't been using evergreens to their full potential in her garden. After reading a book about a garden of many evergreens, she describes that type of garden as one that "doesn't wait for the cocktail hour of winter" to show off its finery. Holley's planning to plant a bed in her garden devoted primarily to evergreens.
Jason at Gardinacity takes us on a tour of his fall garden--through Asters, Rosebuds, berries, and "way too many" seedheads. Jason reminds us to savor mild days while they last (and I'm thinking I didn't follow his advice very well, myself--now it's too late).
Karin at Southern Meadows shares several practical and thoughtful lessons--like making sure you keep your hummingbird feeder up all winter (if you live in Georgia, that is). Karin is fortunate to have a hummer overwintering in her garden. She offers detailed instructions on keeping the feeders from freezing, and keeping the hummers happy.
Diana at Elephant's Eye also also offers practical lessons: Agapanthus flowers for Christmas need watering as the buds emerge--especially in South Africa, where Christmas occurs during the summer. Diana shares her "Dozen for Diana"--12 particularly favorite plants. And a simple tip that Artemisia afra smells of licorice or anise when you brush against it.
Donna at Gardens Eye View discusses how nothing seemed normal in her garden this past spring and summer. But she suggests stepping back to watch nature and the signs it provides. When you do that, says Donna, you're likely to be a more successful gardener. She quotes Vita Sackville-West: "The more one gardens, the more one learns; and the more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows." So true!
Thanks, everyone. If I forgot anyone, please let me know in the comments. See you again after I finish shoveling. ;-)
Your winter wonderland is beautiful, Beth! We had the same blustery storm yesterday that swept through the Midwest, but there's only a dusting of snow on the ground here. I don't want to have to "dig out," but I wish we'd had a little more snow for a white Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI had every intention of posting some lessons from fall, too, but it's been such a busy month here that I haven't had much time for blogging at all. Looking forward to reading some of these posts when life gets a little less hectic. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Rose. I ventured out on the roads today, and it wasn't too bad. The bright sun sure is pretty sparkling off all the white snow and ice. Some of the trees look pretty stressed, though. But this really puts a dent in the drought. Yes, this is a hectic time of year so I totally understand. Please join in when you can--you always have excellent lessons to share! I hope you'll have a light, dusting of snow before Christmas. :)
DeleteOh Beth, your garden looks beautiful covered in snow! We had glorious sunshine and 12 degrees Celsius today - not very Christmassy, and the next few days we are expecting lots and lots of rain, more flooding for people up and down the country.
ReplyDeleteNext year I am going to try to get on with the 'lessons learned' too, just need to find time for it! Have a nice Christmas :-)
Hi Helene: Thank you. Some of the evergreens are pretty stressed with the weight of the heavy snow...and after being pushed to their limits during the drought. But as the snow melts, it takes the remnants of the drought with it. Yay! Please join in when you can--I'm always thrilled to hear garden news and advice from folks in other parts of the world! I hope the rain lets up a bit in the next few days for you. Happy Christmas to you and yours!
DeleteHi, your garden looks nice, white and fresh!
ReplyDeleteI love the second photo, something like in my garden.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! The snow does make everything look a little more magical, doesn't it? I took my good camera out in the blizzard, which I regret. Now I need to clean the lens, and I hope it didn't do any damage. Some of the photos were taken with my camera phone, which is easier to wipe off when it gets wet. ;-)
DeleteWow, look at all that snow! Your garden is gorgeous with a blanket of snow and looking very festive!
ReplyDeleteYes, crazy isn't it? There was some question about a week ago whether we'd have a white Christmas, and then whoosh...it all came at once. Now it's too cold to melt, so we're set!
DeleteWonderful lessons and boy did winter arrive with a bang for you...we had 2 inches of rain and some wet snow...more snow tomorrow but only about 4-6 inches. Your snow is just gorgeous...great shots Beth. Merry Christmas and Happy Winter Solstice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna. I'm glad you got snow, too. Personally, I'd rather have 4-6 inches than 15, but hey, I won't complain until about mid-January. ;-)
DeleteLove the Sackville-West quote! No snow here (I'm not complaining) but we did have half-an-inch of rain, 30-40 mph winds for days and temps that are regularly falling into the low 20s at night.
ReplyDeleteYes, winter is here at last!
Yes, that's a good quote, isn't it? Rain is good. I'm hoping we get plenty of that next year, too. The winds are so hard on the trees, though, aren't they? The night of the blizzard was pretty scary windy in the back garden!
DeleteThe storm missed us, to our surprise, so still no snow here. The ground has frozen, however. Hope the snow isn't too heavy, and happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteHuh, that is pretty surprising. I noticed it was a narrow band of snow--and the west side of Madison got 20 inches while we had 15 just 10 miles away. Weird. We were just over near Milwaukee today, and they only had about 5 inches. Strange.
DeleteSnow does a landscape up beautifully. Your garden is in its snowy glory. We had snow last night, puffy and a few inches deep, but this morning it all blew away. You mentioned you had gusting wind, but you still have your winter wonderland. Lovely....
ReplyDeleteThe powdered sugar effect is pretty, isn't it? Some of the evergreens are weighted down too much, though, so I'm a little worried about them. I'm afraid I'll do more damage trying to free them now. The snow here was extremely wet and heavy--maybe the heaviest I've experienced. So it didn't blow around as much as powdery snow does. I need to get out and get some better photos--it was so blustery that day, so I didn't stay out too long.
DeleteHave a beautiful holiday season, Beth. I wish you and yours a joyous holiday. I agree on not removing the heavy snow. Better to let nature takes its course.
DeleteSuch snow! We are just getting our second snow of the year at the moment... only a few inches. I am sure we will make up for it in January :) Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
ReplyDelete~Julie
Thanks, Julie! We usually have a white Christmas here, but 15 inches all at once before Christmas is not as common. I just hope we don't have a string of big snowstorms. I'm glad you'll have a white Christmas, too. Merry Christmas!
DeleteWow, you really did get a lot of snow, ours is coming in January I am sure.
ReplyDeleteWe have just enough for Christmas, about 8 inches.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
Jen
Thanks, Jen. Yes, 8 inches would be perfect! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
DeleteBeautiful snow pictures, Beth. We have grey skies, wind and rain, rain, rain. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a joyful new year.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Rain would be wonderful, too. The moisture is so helpful--at least for the trees that didn't break in the blizzard/windstorm. Merry Christmas, Masha!
DeleteThe first snows are so pure..I like white. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteSo true! After a few days the snow gets dirty and it's always nice to have a fresh snow to top it off. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
DeleteBeautiful photos!! I think I'd be in shock if we got 7 inches of snow, but it looks sooo pretty! And perfect for the holiday. I hope to be organized to participate in the meme next season, Until then I look forward to reading more of your posts. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We started with 7 inches, and ended up with 15 by the time the storm was over! That's a lot even for us. I know autumn is a tricky time to think about lessons learned--please join in when you can and when you want to. I'm looking forward to following your blog in the months ahead, too!
DeleteI don't envy the shoveling, but the snow makes everything look just so beautiful. And having a white Christmas would be exciting! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWe have a white Christmas most years. Even last year, when we had very little snow, we had a light dusting on Christmas Eve. This last snowfall was more than we usually get in December, though, which has me a little worried about the weeks ahead. ;-) Merry Christmas!
DeleteLiz, This definitely looks Xmas season, and that's what we do not have here, just blue skies and very mild temperatures, and crasses blooming!!! Locals say it's not normal so we should Mediterranean cold sometime soon. I wish you a wonderful holidays. Lula
ReplyDeleteOh, I will be envious in about three weeks, when I get terribly tired of the snow! It happens every year--the first snows are beautiful and fun, and then it just lasts and lasts and I have to get away. ;-) Happy Holidays, to you too, Lula!
DeleteHow beautiful! What a delight to have a white Christmas. Finally getting a chance to catch up on my blog reading. The photographs of the snowfall are just breathtaking. Lucky lady :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cat. It was fun to have a white Christmas after barely a flake last year. Now we're having a January thaw, which is nice, too. ;-)
DeleteBeautiful photos of the snow and all it covers. I especially love the three photos at the top of your blog. I might have to try that, removing a leaf to leave the imprint behind.
ReplyDeleteThank you, David. Snow is pretty--I just don't like to go out in it much. ;-) Sometimes when I'm lucky a little inspiration hits. Thanks for your kind comments.
DeleteThe older I get the less I've liked winter...however, after buying our 2 acres, I've found that I don't mind it quite as much. I still don't like the darkness, bitter cold, or driving in it, but getting out in the yard, attracting birds, and appreciating the beauty that my plantings bring, help a lot.
ReplyDelete