But as I look at my 2012 day planner, I know it is time to shake this case of holiday-laziness off and get my arse in gear. Winter is no time to ignore your gardens my friends; it's not for nothing that they say "the August garden is January's child"!
During the nastiest of days, get out ye ol' paper and pencil and start planning: decide where new beds might go, pencil in plans for crop rotations (even if they are destined to be tucked among shrubs in the front yard!) and, for alla you dreamers out there like me: moon over seed catalogs and circle your "want it, need it and gotta have it" lists.
On "not so nasty days" (which are largely a matter of definition depending where you live), man up, toss the gloves on, and be sure everything is ready for the first few weeks of the thaw. Work your compost. Be sure your beds are mulched, weeded and otherwise prepared for new plantings. Clean up any autumn messiness. Get tools repaired and organized. Plan ahead for any animals you might add (could 2012 be your year for a hen?!).
Most importantly, be sure to stand in the middle of your garden space - be it a teeny urban courtyard or sprawling ranch - hand to hip and with head slightly tilted, and DREAM!
"The August garden is January's child", so build yours with a healthy mix of hard work and creative dreaminess. Ready, set, garden! Xo
