Are you wondering when it’s going to snow? The winter solstice is only three weeks away! I know many of you would be happy if winter passed us by completely, but our gardens could suffer real consequences if we miss the moisture and frosty cold conditions required for the trees and perennials that we grow in zone 4b, where I live.
I was out in my front garden (Nov. 28) cleaning up willow branches that had dropped after a strong wind we experienced lately. What struck me was how green some of the perennials still are. Below are photos I took that day of the periwinkle, hellebore, an Autumn Mist clematis, ivy (still in containers) and creeping thyme.
I have complete faith in Nature and assume she knows what she’s doing. Having said that, I’ve also been watering the spruce trees in the back garden…just in case she forgot about us. I did take some comfort in seeing a “white” rabbit hiding behind a shrub. They know what’s coming…right? And I haven’t seen the flocks of geese that have been gathering for the past week. They may have flown south.
This has been a fabulous, mild fall season and has shortened winter by weeks already. Is this an anomaly, or is this the result of climate change? Only Nature can answer that question with certainty, but I’m hoping my garden adapts accordingly, and I’ll try to wait for Spring ...patiently without worrying about the unestablished perennial gardens planted this past summer.
xox Judy❤️
I am enjoying the mild temperatures for sure, but like you Judy, I am wondering if I should be continuing to water my perennials. The Christmas lights in the neighborhood are lovely, but without the blanket of white, just not the same. I am not complaining though. The snow will be here without a doubt, and it would not be the first time the snow came late. I believe just a few years back, there was no snow until Christmas Eve, and many years ago, I recall it melting like Spring on Christmas Eve.
Hi Karen, I agree that there have been “brown” Christmases in the past but it seems like we’ve had snow before that may have melted. Maybe I’m just hyper aware of the weather now that gardening has become a passion and like the farmer, I’m always checking to see what’s coming. It seems like more of my neighbourhood is lite up for Christmas this year, looking beautiful…but missing that special magic that a filter of snow provides. One positive is the dry road conditions as we are about to gear up for all the last minute shopping and preparations. xox Judy❤️
😂When I sat down initially to write this there was no snow on the ground….now there is! I love it when we have a longer fall so that we can enjoy the crunch of the leaves and that beautiful fall smell in the air. I do like the look of the Christmas lights and decorations much better though with that light dusting of snow…if only it would just be a light dusting for the entire winter😫. I must admit that, as a fellow gardener, I’m constantly monitoring the weather. I’ve already got my gardening journal at the ready for once the Christmas holidays are over….then it’s on to planning my garden again! Enjoy your winter garden! Hugs, Karen xo❤️
Hi Karen, What a wonderful surprise to see the light dusting of snow on Sunday evening. The trees in the garden looked like they had been sprinkled with icing sugar. I hope it sticks around for Christmas. Once December is over, I too, start planning for Spring! It extends the gardening season by a couple of months. xox Judy❤️