December 30, 2018

Twelve of My Favorite Things (2018)

For several years now on this blog, I've created end-of-year lists of my favorite garden and nature "things." They help me appreciate each moment and each season in its time. 

Every day is a blessing, and here are some "favorites" of the past year that I hope to experience again in 2019.

January

In January, I look forward to a few mild days for winter hiking.

february

Perhaps the potted Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) will bloom again in February.

march

Will the garden Rhubarb poke through the soil in March?

april

I'll have to remember to cage or spray (with organic methods) the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) before the rabbits eat them.

may

Sauteed Fiddleheads (Matteuccia struthiopteris) will be on the menu in May. (Note: Some Fiddleheads can be toxic, so do your research before consuming them.)

june
(Clockwise from top left: Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), 'Little Henry' Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica), Woodland Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica), and 'Pearl Glam' Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.).

How to pick a favorite flower in June? Impossible!

july

July (and earlier!) will provide plenty of opportunities to search for monarch eggs on various Milkweeds (shown here Asclepias syriaca). I'm sure I'll captive-raise a few caterpillars/butterflies, for the pure joy of the experience and to help the species.

august

Our friends, the sandhill cranes, likely will cross our paths as we hike the local prairies and woodland openings in August.

september

I'll spend hours observing the acrobatic ruby-throated hummingbirds in September before they all depart for points south.

october

In October, I hope to have 'Explosion' Dahlias and Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia) blooming until the first frost.

november

If I'm lucky and prepared, I'll be able to refrigerate and display a few Zinnias in early November arrangements.

december

Finally, in December, I'll enjoy the late afternoon shadows and light effects over the lake.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

These simple pleasures, and many more, promise that the year ahead will be bright. Each month carries its own unique, simple blessings.

I hope you, too, will find many "favorite things" and gifts that will bring you much joy in the year ahead.

Happy New Year!

December 18, 2018

Fresh Air for a Fresh Perspective

waterfowl 1

I took a hike along the Lower Yahara River Trail last week. We're having mild weather lately in much of the Midwest--mild for us, anyway. The day of my hike, the high was around 40F, and I actually felt warm, wearing my parka and winter boots.

I know some of these photos look cold, but it was very comfortable, after weeks of below-normal temperatures in October and November.

bridge

Part of the trail includes a long boardwalk bridge with excellent views of Lake Waubesa. It's now one of the favorite hiking/walking areas of many Madison and McFarland residents. I've posted about this trail before, showing what it looks like in autumn.

ice fishing 1

The view was rather misty, likely because of evaporation from the warmer air.

ice fishing 2

I was surprised to see these people setting up for ice fishing, as it was rather late in the day.

waterfowl 2

Waterfowl tend to congregate in the area where warm, moving water empties into the lake from the Yahara River.

ducks

Were these ducks finding fish, or other tasty morsels, just below the surface of the slushy ice?

sun setting

The view to the southwest portended a pretty sunset, with light clouds on the horizon.

moon

Higher in the sky, the moon stood watch over the beautiful day. It felt great to move comfortably outdoors, and to get some much-needed fresh air.

December 06, 2018

Herbs, Lettuce, and a Repurposed Plant Stand

herbs

It's winter, but that doesn't mean the end of growing things, even in a cold climate.

wine stand

My daughter was ditching a wine rack that she didn't need anymore, so I asked her if I could repurpose it. She said, "sure." So...

lettuce

I planted some lettuce seeds in window planters and put them in the bottom. (I need to thin them out, but otherwise, they're growing well.)

wine holders

I thought about doing something with the wine holders, but that would block the sun from the lettuce. Stay tuned for future ideas, or please share them in the comments.

Most of the herbs are taking off, too...

parsley
parsley

chamomile
chamomile

cilantro
cilantro

oregano
oregano

dill
dill

I placed the plant stand in a south-facing window in the sunroom. The room is only partially heated, so it's a little cooler in there than the herbs would prefer. But there's plenty of sun! As the days get longer, I expect even more success.

How about you? Do you grow herbs and edibles indoors during the winter?