January and February might be months gardeners choose to take off. After all, it is hard to get too enthusiastic with a northwest wind blowing and temperatures dropping, even if the sun shines for a few hours of the day. Plant choices dwindle as temperatures drop, and frozen soil makes it even more challenging to keep potted plants hydrated. Leaves may get crispy edges when roots can’t absorb enough water to replace moisture left to cold, drying winds. Frozen soil is almost as limiting to plant growth as dry soil.
That’s why I pay attention and take note of potted plants that still shine with vigor and health by late January. I get excited by every winter flower, green leaf, and promise of continued growth. Granted, our winters here in Williamsburg may be milder than most. And our coldest, frostiest weather often waits for February or early March, just as we’re primed for spring. But I’ll tell you that last night was in the 20s here, and it had only warmed up into the 30s when I took these photos. These are a few plants that have proven themselves sturdy through colder nights and icier days in winters passed. Read More on Our Forest Garden
Have you visited my new website, Our Forest Garden?
This is a continuation of A Forest Garden, with additional storage space for fresh photos. You’ll also find a library of directories that make it easy for you to find information published here over the past 7 years.
Directories to previous posts on the site include:
The new site is still a work in progress, and I hope you will visit and have a look at the new format. Please bookmark or follow Our Forest Garden to continue to receive notice of new posts as they are published.
-WG January 2021
Forest Garden 