January 2012

27 Jan
2012
The updated 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is more detailed, interactive, searchable by zip code, and reflective of a warming world.

The new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (and what it tells us about the future)

Two days ago, we got a sneak-peek at the future. Did you notice? The USDA released their newly updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map this Wednesday (click here to read the press release). Finally! The map hadn’t been updated since 1990, and things have definitely changed since then. Don’t believe me? ...

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10 Jan
2012
redtwig-in-snow

Snow on the redtwig dogwood

We finally got some snow yesterday (about an inch or so, I’d guess) and it stuck around long enough to shine in today’s bright sunlight. The whole garden looks like it’s wearing some fancy new outfit, but the redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea) is definitely the star of the show. Although ...

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9 Jan
2012
Native liatris — also called blazing star or gayflower — have become popular in homegardens, where their purple flowers bring a welcome burst of color to the mid- and late-summer garden. I left mine standing after the last frost, and am pleased with how well they add a bit of structural interest to the winter garden. The effect will only get better as the clump matures, I hope.

January sunshine

It’s been an amazingly warm winter, so far. December tied with December 1923 as the sixth-warmest December on record (only 0.6°F out of first place), and January is well on track to be warmer than average. All this out-of-season warmth is making me wish I’d planted some late spinach or ...

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5 Jan
2012
A collection of organic, heirloom and non-GMO seeds for the 2012 garden.

Another year in the garden

There’s flurries blowing around the street and salt staining the sidewalk. It’s the coldest day of the winter, and the sky has that steel-gray snow-is-coming look to it. There’s no doubt: winter has finally arrived in my little Virginia town. Winter. And, yet, here I sit — bundled in sweaters ...

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