This is what I do to keep from going stir-crazy in January and February – I plan my garden. It keeps me sane in the winter and grounded the rest of the year. At the end of February, I pull out what appears to be dead sticks from my basement storage area and plant them. Within a week they shoot out bright green leaves – geraniums are amazing. I have ones that are over 10 years old. A month later I begin my seeds, first upstairs where it’s warm to geminate them, and later in the basement under lights. Finally, I begin to pull out the tubulars from their winter storage – the calla lilies are usually eager to get out, followed by the begonias, and lastly the canna lilies. By May, every sunny spot in the house is filled with pots.
The Selby garden is primarly a shade garden so many of the trees, shrubs, and perennials are grown for their foliage. A few flowering annuals are included to add colour but I limit my palette to white with touches of burgundy, pink, and purples. It becomes a place of serenity and relief during a hot summer afternoon.
Even though I have a sunny spot for vegetable gardening, it is a battle. Between the squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, and slugs, I harvest very little yet every year I am optimistic I will win. A screened-in raised bed has helped but it is an expensive solution. I would thrown in the towel but when I bite into that first ripe tomato, I remember why I keep doing it every year. I am not a golfer but I believe the experience is similar to hitting a long and straight ball, even if it’s only a few times a season.