Today in the Gardener's Journal - December 13, 2011

The leaves have only been off the trees for less than a full month and already I  miss my garden. How quick we are to miss the presence of color, foliage and even the smell of a freshly cut lawn. However, without the winter, there would be no spring. I have come to the conclusion that winter is the time when we appreciate our landscape more. Would you agree?

 Gardening can be a funny thing, we work hard in early spring to prepare for a season long of beauty, in mid spring we find ourselves adding more to our palate of colors, in summer we get caught up in the daily activities that we sometimes let our gardens do its own thing, then in fall, we begin the cleanup and savor the last bits of the show, only to drop the curtain during the finale of winter.

But wait! Winter brings on a new act for us to enjoy. It brings on new inspirations, new ideas, new varieties and sometimes a new purpose.  There is something about the cold, winter mornings that brings promise to the landscape. When everything is frozen still, it forces us to rest just like our plants. 

What we can do though is look with anticipation to what's ahead the following year. We can look at areas of the landscape where you've been thinking of revamping, you can read gardening magazines that introduce new and exciting plants.

Take a walk in your garden and look beyond the bare trees, look at their structure, their magnitude and strength. Look at the buds that are set in place for a grand opening next spring. There is plenty in the garden to enjoy in winter, you just need to look harder or be more creative.

What are you considering for your 2012 landscape?

December Landscaping Tips!

It's hard to believe that we are already into the month of December, especially when the temperatures have felt more like early fall in Zone 6, New Jersey, however, it only gives us gardeners more time to savor the last bits of the year with soil on our hands. Enjoy it while you can, and don't forget these helpful December landscaping tips!

•Apply winter mulches after ground freezes

•Bring in clay and cement pots and statues

•Use sand or kitty litter on ice instead of salt

•Water evergreens, especially newly planted ones, when ground is not frozen or during warm spells

•Protect shrubs under roof line from snow damage

•Make sure all broad-leaf evergreens have been sprayed (Wilt-Pruf)

•Plan your garden for next year!