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With
only a few more shopping days left until Groundhog Day, I have been
frantically trying to make the perfect gifts for the true gardeners I
know. You know the type? The ones who don’t mind getting their
fingernails dirty; the ones who’d rather read a seed catalog than a
novel; the ones who’d rather watch Paul James, the Gardener Guy, than
Judge Judy!
Few
folks can appreciate the true meaning of the holiday. I’m including all
who dig out the rodents for show and celebrations on February 2nd.
Groundhog Day is about half way between the Winter Solstice and Vernal
Equinox. (Six more weeks until spring…Get it?) It marks the beginning of
spring preparations in the nursery.
I
always start preparing for Groundhog Day season in January. From January
1st there are only 32 days until the big day! Right now I am scrubbing
pots, planters and disinfecting plug flats for the seed-sowing season
which begins in a couple of weeks. I’m making sure all of my seed and
plug orders are running on schedule so I can plant them in a timely manner
rather than letting them sit and wait. It’s better to have only the
amount you can process coming in every other day or so.
January
is also the time to look through all of your old magazines for ideas on
garden decorating and outdoor living trends. It doesn’t hurt to make
notes of the container plantings either. See what you would like to plant
in yours this spring and order the seeds or plugs now to get them started.
Get
ready for that big gardener’s holiday by walking through your favorite
nursery. Go into the greenhouses and enjoy the life in those plants! Talk
to the nursery owners and helpers. I’ll just bet they will be pleased
you stopped by to see them! Stop by and visit your local Co-op store to
see what they have for the upcoming spring growing season.
January
is also my favorite time to go to the botanical gardens around the state.
When the lawns are tan and the trees and sky are grey, you can always find
some green signs of life there.
If
you want more reasons to celebrate Groundhog Day then email me at kennalan@hgtradio.net
I’ll
see you in February!
If
your local radio station isn’t carrying the gardening radio show Home
Grown Tomatoes yet, call them and request it!
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