Winter started out quite cold here in the Puget Sound area. It is very rare for us to experience below freezing temps this time of year, but we are just now thawing out from over a week of clear skies and nights in the low 20's. Needless to say I have been able to take some time off to relax as even the most enthusiastic of gardeners should stay out of their gardens with temperatures that low.
Why, you ask? Well, for one the ground is frozen so no hand weeding or transplanting can be accomplished. Secondly, when it is that chilly pruning should also be avoided as branches become brittle and thus it is easy to snap and break branches as you work. It is though a good time to plan!
For the vegetable gardener there are stacks of seed catalogs to peruse. Then there is always the stack of gardening books and magazines to catch up on that you couldn't get to all spring summer and fall because you were too busy working in the garden. It's also a great time to take a class at the Edmonds Community College Horticulture Department(where I received an ATA in Landscape Management) or check out one of the organic gardening classes held by Seattle Tilth.
I also love to visit my favorite nurseries in the Seattle area this time of year. Molbaksin Woodinville, Wight'sof Lynnwood, Swanson's in Ballard and and Sky Nursery in Shoreline all offer seminars found listed on their websites. Many of these seminars are free and feature local gardening experts like Cisco Morris and Valerie Easton. Molbak's and Swanson's also have nice cafe's within their stores that are surrounded by tropical plants and water features stocked with Koi. In fact, a trip to Swanson's with a friend on a rainy day is a sure cure for the Seattle winter blues!
