December 2020
Pickaway to Garden
By Paul J. Hang
Dawning
Meteorological
winter begins December 1st. We had our first serious snowfall on the
1st. Serious because it required cleaning off the car but not so
serious I had to shovel the driveway. Astronomical winter begins December 21,
when the winter solstice occurs. On that day the sun appears to be standing
still on its daily journey to the southern horizn. It is the shortest day and
the longest night. The old saying “It’s always darkest before the dawn”
applies. The next day an astronomical dawn arrives as the day begins with a
tiny bit more sunshine, or at least a tiny bit more light.
Why is an
astronomical event of any consequence to a gardener? Other than psychological,
how could an event in December mean anything to a gardener? First, I think
gardeners share a trait with our ancestors who were much more connected and
attuned to the land and what it provides. Dates, or more importantly events,
mark passages, serve as reminders, signal to begin a task or to prepare for
something.
Today it
seems dates and events are all about commerce: Black Friday, Small Business
Saturday, and Cyber Monday. If the date or event doesn’t name a commercial it
certainly stands for one. Christmas for gifts, New Years for libations and
party snacks, Presidents’ Day for sales, Valentine’s Day for roses and
chocolates, you get the drift. These are artificially designated dates and,
although they signify events, the date has no connection to the event.
December 21,
some years December 22nd, is an artificial way for us to know when
to expect the Winter Solstice, when the event will occur. It was, and is, a
time for celebration. After losing the light the light returns, however so
gradually and slowly. Light is essential for plant growth. Losing the light
ended our garden season (at least for some). The return of light is cause for hope;
hope that we will once more have a chance to garden again, even if not right
away.
For our
ancestors the winter solstice signaled that the earth, given enough light,
would once again renew its miraculous ability to germinate seeds, sprout buried
and dormant roots, tubers, corms and bulbs. We would have food, medicines and
beauty once again. Although the Spring Equinox (usually March 21st)
should be, agriculturally speaking, New Year’s Day, the Winter Solstice should
be our day of annual celebration no matter what the date. It is the dawning of
spring.
Our seasons
are transient. One follows another. One ends another begins. In a sense the
transience is eternal. Even though December 21 is the first day of winter and
is seen as a loss of flowers, color and beauty, it is also the dawn of their
restoration.
Looking for
gift ideas for gardeners? Consider a spade, a “scuffle” hoe, a soil knife,
other tools, gloves, boots, books. Happy shopping!
Things to do in the garden:
Thankfully,
there are not too many things to do IN the garden as much as there are things
to do ABOUT the garden. If you haven’t already done so, clean up crop debris. Get
the vegetable garden ready for spring.
On nice days
wander about your place and notice how some plants continue to develop. If the
local temperature reaches 50 degrees they grow, only to cease when the
temperature falls. Those bitter cress weeds are small now. I find them in
between the bricks of my walk. They and ground ivy in the beds and in the lawn
are trying to gain a foothold now while they have little competition. The
biennial mullein with its fuzzy lamb's ear-like leaves is growing flat against
the earth. Rosettes of poison hemlock and teasel continue to grow. Pull them up
while you have the chance or spray with an herbicide according to the
directions on the label. Get them before the weather turns warm and they turn
tougher.
If the ground
remains open it’s still not too late to plant lilies, tulips and daffodils. You
may find some bargains. Avoid the soft and shriveled ones. Check houseplants
for insects. Move clay pots inside to prevent breaking. Plant native seeds
directly over snow or frozen ground. Go to www.backyardhabitat.info.
Wrap young
tree trunks with hardware cloth or the plastic wrap made for that purpose.
Protect them from ground level to about 18 inches. This also goes for newly planted shrubs.
Place fencing around them. This prevents mice, voles and rabbits from using the
bark as lunch. If they girdle the plants, they will die. A little light pruning
of trees and shrubs while they are dormant won’t hurt. Damaged, rubbing or
simply inconvenient small branches can be removed. Never top trees in any
season. When harvesting or buying firewood use only local sources less than 50
miles. This helps prevent the spread of bugs and diseases harmful to trees.
In the
vegetable garden, write down and/or map where you planted what this year. This
will aid in crop rotation. Bugs lay their eggs near the crops they “enjoy.” By
not planting the same crops in the same place next year you will foil
destructive insects and disease. Use ice melt, not rock salt, on your walks, it
is harmful to plants including grass.
No comments:
Post a Comment