RESTORATIVE ELEMENTS
“A well-designed and attractive urban environment can have a stress-reducing and mood enhancing power equal to that of a natural environment” according to researchers Karamanov and Hamel at the University of Wageningen, Netherlands (2008). The features identified in the study include visible water, green spaces, intricate spatial layouts and landmarks. Incorporating these elements into urban settings and our own gardens will help to create the restorative settings we expect from nature. Welldesigned gardens offer us the opportunity to address our specific needs, as well as to create tranquil settings we can all enjoy

WINTER CARE
Many of the plants that we bring indoors for the winter need a little T.L.C. during their indoor stay. Refresh the plants by placing the pot in the shower or tub and run cool water to remove dust and quench the plants thirst. Add some additional soil, if necessary and a little fertilizer. This treatment applies for our regular ‘house plants’, too.

OUTDOOR ROOM
Winter is a good time of year to take a good look at your garden. Your home can be more inviting when you start to think of your garden as another room of your house. The garden is a room that can be enjoyed whether you are inside or outside the house.

PLOUGH MONDAY
The first Monday after the Epiphany, January 6th, is called Plough Monday. This is traditionally the day that farmers returned to their ploughs and men in general returned to work after the Christmas Holiday. This January 11th be sure to thank the farmers as you head off to your own work.

LENTEN ROSES
If you are looking for early color in your garden, consider planting Lenten Rose (Hellebore). They bloom in the winter through early spring. They get their name because they bloom around the season of Lent. These are a shade loving evergreen perennial with a wide range of colors from pink, yellow, red to purple. They are also deer resistant.

TREE CARE
Winter is a good time to assess the structure of your shade trees. It is best to prune the trees while they are dormant to minimize sap flow from wounds. Prune branches if they have grown up on a structure or interfere with the line of sight of a street or driveway. Never top trees because it can damage the structure and possibly starve the tree to death. It is best to hire a certified tree arborist to help evaluate the condition and care of your trees and to prune trees that are 20 feet high or taller.

MORE VARIETIES
The Old Farmer’s Almanac indicates that there has been a 20% increase in sales at seed companies. This is another indicator that more people are growing their own vegetables and other plants. This is a good time of year to peruse the catalogues to look for new plants to try in the garden this year. A growing trend is to raise heirloom plants that offer more flavor and variety. Try green tomatoes, such as Aunt Ruby’s German Cherry or Emerald Evergreen. Growing purple tomatoes will definitely create interest. In fact, these heirloom plants should be planted in prime locations because they are decorative as well as tasty. Rattlesnake Pole Beans are decorative green pods with purple streaks. Pandora Striped Rose Eggplants have a lovely rose color, a good yield and are delicious, as well. Explore the catalogues, such as Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

“A garden is a friend you can visit anytime” -Anonymous

STORIES
Do you have a story to tell about your garden? Please let us know how you or others are enjoying your garden. It is great to share these stories and maybe learn some new ideas from other fans of nature.

A Happy New Year!