Tag Archives: #Pruning

Winter: A Time for Beauty and Work

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Winter reminds me of the Greek myth about Persephone, the beautiful daughter of gods Demeter and Zeus.

Persephone was picking flowers when Hades, God of the underworld, saw her and took her to be his bride.

When Demeter, goddess of the earth and harvest, discovered what happened, she was beside herself. She cursed the earth. Plants withered and died.

Long story short, since Persephone had eaten six seeds of a pomegranate, she had to spend six months of the year in the underworld with Hades but could return to earth for the remainder of the year.

Demeter brought the earth back to life each spring when Persephone reemerged, hence the origin of our seasons.

I look forward to the return of spring and the liberation of Persephone, but winter has its own charms.

Photo by Cocoparisenne, Pixabay.

Falling snow creates a magic all its own. Layers of snowflakes transform barren trees, shrubs, stems, and stalks giving them a unique beauty. Winterberry bushes and holly trees provide a backdrop of green and red to landscapes while untrimmed switchgrasses provide soft stalks that soften the edges. Pines and evergreen magnolias offer a welcome touch of green and shelter for wildlife.

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Preserve Harmony – In Your Garden This Fall

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As winter approaches, some garden tasks wind down while others gain extra urgency before the first killing frost (when temperatures drop below 28 degrees) sets in.

I recorded a podcast Nov. 3 with Rachann Mayer, host of Raising Connections Radio Program Critters, Companions, Commerce & Agriculture about putting a garden to bed. The show aired on WTTR.

Native Wisdom: Seasonal Garden Tips to Support Insects and Preserve Habitat Harmony

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2069900/episodes/18064882

Feel free to submit any fall/wintering gardening tips or questions to IntheGardenwithLaura.com

Enjoy!

Laura

Photo by Nadja Donauer, Pixabay.

Learn How to Put Your Garden to Bed

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And Grow Your Garden at CCC This Fall

Fall can seem like a time of endless chores. It doesn’t have to be.

In a class titled “Put Your Garden to Bed: Plant, Prune, Pull, Protect, & Plan,” garden maintenance will be discussed. The course aims to help you streamline fall chores and know when you need to do what. This two-evening course will be held at Carroll Community College’s main campus.

How, when and why to prune native species will be explored. Elm trees, for example, should only be pruned during the coldest days of January and February while hollies prefer a trim in late winter or early spring.

Ever wonder when and how to add plants to your garden? Fall is an excellent time to plant native perennials, specifically spring-blooming ones, as well as shrubs and trees. Adding plants to a garden in the fall allows them to build up their root systems before the stresses of summer.

The class will explore other subjects ranging from invasive plants, how to help pollinators survive the winter to the challenge of deer. The class will briefly explore how to start planning new design ideas for spring.

By the end of the course, you’ll know how to help your garden and its pollinators through the colder months, ensuring a healthy, vibrant garden come spring.

The class costs $70 (includes a $60 fee), # PDE-172.

Carroll County residents deduct $10 per course. Maryland non-Carroll County residents deduct $5 per course. Maryland senior adults pay fees only.

The class will be held Tues. and Thurs., Sept. 23 and 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm (two sessions), on Carroll Community College’s main campus. The instructor is Laura O’Callaghan.

To register, click here and go to page 49.

Photo by Matthias Boeckel, Pixabay.