This week’s prompt for Think Write Thursday is to write a post called “Hello, January”.
There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter. One is the January thaw. The other is the seed catalogues. – Hal Borland
Winter has been iffy in my corner of the world with temperature swings from the 60’s one day to the 20’s the next. And, the rain – my back yard is one giant spongy mess.
However, I know that there is no avoiding the bitter cold that will soon be upon us. January is good at bring the cold – but, the one thing that January also brings is the slowly lengthening days. Each day there is just a bit more daylight than the day before, which is a very good thing!
I have not completely given up on growing things either, despite my Amaryllis failure – I have orchids that are blooming and then there are those Paperwhites… I am completely smitten with their ethereal blossoms balanced precariously on a slender stalk. There is hope blooming during the winter and it makes my mind turn to gardening!
That is right – garden planning will be happening this month. Where will we expand this year? What will we work on? What will we grow? It is perhaps the best time of all – the time when you can dream big! Mr. Borland is right seed catalogues simply are the best diversion for January and I am hoping my Baker Heirloom Seed Catalogue will be here sooner than later!
I am sorry Dear January if it feels like I am cheating on you by wishing it was May but garden planning is the best way to get through you!
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As with every year, we begin to be overrun with seed catalogues beginning in mid-December. There is a steadily growing pile of them in the kitchen and on the coffee table. And more arrive each day. Garden dreaming is fun!
The other day the mail carrier left my mail on the table on my porch because there were too many seed catalogs to fit through the mail slot! Even though my garden is small, I look forward to poring over these catalogs on cold January evenings.
Maybe that is what I need, to visit the gardening store this weekend, bring a little new life into the house
I agree! I think I’ll make plans to go to the Flower Show this year too! I’m going to subscribe to that catalog too…for Doug!
Haha! That reminds me… soon the camping & boat shows will begin and that always gives me hope!! It inches ever closer. 🙂
Every year I swear I’m not going to fall for the seed catalog ploy, but 2017 is not going to be the year that happens. Paging through catalogs and dreaming of lovely flowers and produce is one of those small January miracles that I’m enjoying. This year I’m trying Roselle (hibiscus to eat and drink!) and Mexican sour gherkin cucumbers.
I noticed yesterday that I’m not driving home from work in the dark and that made me happy. So there is some good in January. And hooray for indoor winter blooms!
Oh, your flowers are so lovely! I too, like the lengthening days and there really is a noticeable difference!
When it’s cold and wintery out, garden planning can be such a cheery thing! Spring is coming!
Oh how I wish I had a green thumb. I bought a poinsettia in a pot with other hearty greens, and so far the leaves are falling on the Poinsettia but the other plants are ok. My Christmas cactus is in the window where the little table tree was and is thriving in the light when it gets it.
We have been making lists of seeds to order, which, admittedly, is a bright spot. I am a curmudgeon when it comes to January. There isn’t a single thing I like about this month (except my anniversary at the end of it). 🙂
Whoa, your orchids are stunning! I can’t wait to see what you plan(t) with all the seed catalogs. …and I’m enjoying every second (really, I’m not even sure it’s added up to a full minute yet) of extra daylight!
oh, I do love January so. I love the quiet and the white (when there is white outside) and being cold down to my bones 🙂 Your orchids are beautiful and I wish I could be better at attending them…I killed the one that was gifted to me.
Planning a garden, now that really would make January more bearable!