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Are
you suffering from GWS? I am! What is GWS, you ask? It is an acronym I
coined a few years ago for an acute affliction that ails me every January
– Gardening Withdrawal Syndrome.
I
don’t know about you folks, but I am ready to get outside and do
something in the garden. Some folks call it spring fever, others call it
cabin fever. I have found the best way to get over GWS is to get outside
and do something, anything in the garden.
In
January, here in the south, we get some 60° and 70° spring teasers. In
some parts of Alabama the crocus and daffodils are starting to emerge.
That offers us a taste of good things to come. Right now the hellebores or
Lenten roses and rosemary plants are in their glory.
Now
is a good time to prune your shrubs or remove dead branches from your
trees. While you are walking around your garden be sure to have your
trusty pruning shears at your side. That way you’ll be ready to take
care of the task while it’s on your mind.
I’m
sure you’ve memorized every plant in your seed catalogs. Now is the time
to plan where you’re going to place these plants in your garden. Measure
your planting areas with a simple tape measure. Transfer the dimensions to
graph paper. Then you’ll be ready for your "after the sun goes
down" chores. While the sun is in the sky above, take advantage of
it. The lack of daylight is one of the reasons GWS has such an adverse
effect on us gardeners.
Remember
the birds too. Our local Quality Co-op stores have bird feeders, bird seed
and all of the necessary supplies to help us help our feathered friends
have their proper nutrition. The birds, in return, give us pleasure with
their colors and songs. The experts at the Co-ops can help you decide
which seed to buy in order to attract your favorite wild birds.
Bring
in some spring this January! Cut some forsythia branches or quince and
place them in a vase of water. In a few days, they will show off their
spring colors for you. Keep the water changed fresh each week. Once the
blooms start to fade, bring in some more.
Here
are a couple of quick reminders. 1) January is the best time to graft
Japanese maples (Acer palmatum). 2) If it snows, try to avoid using
salt to melt it. As the snow melts, the salty
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