1994 was the class I caught the gardening bug big - fourth dimension and found my lifespan deepen in exciting path . It was all just SO COOL – until the following wintertime , when I recover myself totally bereft . From then on , wintertime have meant me not only a touch of the aptly acronymed SAD ; they ’ve bring in onanism symptoms and the seeking for something to do with my spare prison term that Icoulddo .
The root that first winter was the discovery of gardening powder magazine , which I devoured for their inspiring exposure spreads , their flora ideas , their how - to ’s . Hell , I loved them treat to cover . I even mollycoddle my new dependance by ordering every issue ofFine Gardeningever publish and devouring them , too . subscription toGarden DesignandHorticulturesoon followed , though without the compulsive back - issue - collecting .
But garden magazines have done more for me than just get me through the wintertime ; they ’ve been the single greatest source of my gardening training and I ca n’t imagine how else I could have check most of what I get it on . And it direct asurveythat Stuart recently conducted – “ What gardening magazines do you read ? ” – and the amazing result – basically “ None ” – to make me clear their importance to me . citizenry , why not ? And if not , howhaveyou instruct to garden ? badly – crystallise me !
MORE wintertime SUBSTITUTESHaving exhausted back issue ofFine Gardeningthat first winter , I ’ve since tried dozens of other winter survival tactics . There was the year I garner catalogues and haunt over my Order . There were experiments with seed - start , a anatomy of gardening I found bothhigh - maintenance and lowly - satisfaction . More recently I ’ve try out dried prime arranging , with some nice issue . I ’ve enjoy amend and painting the old birdhouse a prior owner made back in the ’ 50s . Last twelvemonth I painted the concrete leaf impressions and pavers I ’d made the summer before . And after take response to yesterday ’s post about houseplants , particularly the suggestions for more exciting plant than the common philodendrons , there might even come a icy sidereal day when I give them a try .
But really , what ’s become my primary horticulture substitute in winter is very simple – saunter in the garden and walking in the Mrs. Henry Wood . Because horticulture is just as much about being outdoors IN NATURE as it is manipulating instinctive elements like dirt and plants . It ’s being in nature that keeps me sane more than anything , and it ’s awfully beautiful out there with a cover of snow , you know . Now mayhap if we have n’t yet screwed up our planet irrevocably , the temperatures will drop , snow will pass , and I ’ll walk down this way of life , television camera in hand .
