Garden Stories
Garden.True.North is about gardening in Zone 3,
sharing thoughts, ideas and tips for all northern gardeners.
sharing thoughts, ideas and tips for all northern gardeners.
 Scene from the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. There is still time to order, receive and plant bulbs for next spring. I doubt that how your garden looks next April or May is on your mind as the leaves begin to change color and start dropping. However, if you take a few moments now there will be a reward next year.
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Late winter and early spring are the time to check out catalogs, place seed orders and start seeds. Learn more about several seed starting techniques from Sue Reinardy, UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in an upcoming webinar. Sue has volunteered her time to create and deliver this webinar that will feature: deciphering catalog and seed package jargon, proper planting conditions and several techniques including the winter sown planted method that you can start now.
This webinar can be attended from any home computer or device with an internet connection, microphone and camera. Instructions to access the course will be provided a few days before the start of the class. Registration is required through WITC at courses.witc.edu Enter "Early Seed Starting" in the search box. The registration fee is $13.50, and for those 62+ it is $9.00 . “Garden-making is creative work, just as much as painting or writing a poem.” ~Hanna Rion I don’t think much about creativity when I garden. For me it is more about the desired results; fresh fruits and vegetables, cut flowers for a vase, or a landscape that is pleasing to the senses. Yet it seems “creative” and “gardening” are put together frequently. A google search with these two terms yields 164 million results!
I’ve started to view creativity as more central to my gardening just as I would when decorating the interior of my home. When I look at those Google results they fall into these categories. Some of these photos are from today, some from other years but all reflect my garden in the winter. I leave my perennials standing because you just never know what nature will provide in the way of a beautiful image.
With the new year I am thinking about what my garden can be in the coming season. Here are my aspirations for 2019:
 When the snow flies this gardener gets reading. I can hardly wait to get started on this stack. I've already sneaked a peak into these and am hoping for some quiet days this winter to really dig into these tomes. Here is what I have on my book stack, in no particular order.
 The days are longer and the sun is warmer. There’s a lot of melting in the north. The average last spring frost date is May 24-30 in zone 3. You can check out your location on this chart from the National Climatic Data Center. The chart gives percentages for dates so you know your chances of beating a freeze. It is also useful in calculating seed starting dates. Most seeds require starting 6-8 weeks before the average last spring frost date. For the Hayward, Wisconsin area this means starting seeds March 30 to April 13.
Read more to discover the Winter Sown method of seed starting. The pictures are of a milk jug seed container cut in half, then taped shut until the weather was warm enough to expose the seedlings to the elements.
This month is short and the list of things to do for gardeners is as well. It’s time to get ready for seed starting and to continue to dream about the coming season.
 Picture Source: Amazon.com There are many systems for indoors that claim to do a great job delivering moisture for houseplants. But as gardeners we know that each plant has its own finicky needs and the challenge even for hand watering is how to provide just the right amount. Several winters ago, I tested a few systems prior to going on a two-week trip. While my neighbor has proven to be even more reliable than myself, it was time to find an alternative way to take care of the plants.
 Each day brings another stack of gardening catalogs prodding me to think about the next season even when the thermometer registers below zero. I like to spread out in a sunny spot and putter for an afternoon with my seed tub, catalogs and wish lists. It is a wonderful time to take advantage of the down time and to avoid cabin fever.
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