Comments on Seasonal Wisdom: Winter Survival Tips From Five Pros

Robin, thanks a bunch for your comments. Hope you ...

2009-11-14T10:33:57.993-07:00

Robin, thanks a bunch for your comments. Hope you survive the winter well in your area, by the way. Keep warm! Teresa

This was a great roundup with some of my favorite ...

2009-11-14T09:49:59.015-07:00

This was a great roundup with some of my favorite garden bloggers. Great idea, T!

Robin

Hi Ellie: Thanks for dropping by from the Netherla...

2009-11-07T14:26:15.620-07:00

Hi Ellie: Thanks for dropping by from the Netherlands. Interestingly, when I lived in Boston, we often had grey overcast days with snow. But in mountainous Idaho, I've noticed the snow comes and then we'll get those lovely blue days you mentioned. The intensity of light is a big help when the days are so short. Keep warm in your home and all best, Teresa

Hi Teresa: Really enjoyed learning about your wint...

2009-11-07T14:14:51.777-07:00

Hi Teresa: Really enjoyed learning about your winter experiences in upstate NY. I also believe we appreciate the warmer, sunnier months much more after experiencing the colder ones. Thanks for your comments. Hope to see you again. Teresa

Lovely post! And an interesting perspective as wel...

2009-11-07T13:39:11.277-07:00

Lovely post! And an interesting perspective as well. Living in a mild zone (Netherlands, Europe) I always long for a cold winter, with lots of snow and low temperatures because that usually means dazzling sunshine as well. The alternative is dull, grey, humid weather that chills you to the bone.
Hope you'll have a good winter!

Very interesting to read all about these gardeners...

2009-11-06T19:30:54.514-07:00

Very interesting to read all about these gardeners and their take on the coming of cold weather. I too live in upstate NY. Fall is always welcome as are the first few snowy days of winter until after Christmas time when all you can do is anticipate spring. I think it makes it all the sweeter. I like Helen's glass half full attitude that we couldn't have peonies with out the cold for a while. I will repeat it back to myself for all of January and February until the light at the end of the tunnel starts to appear and the joy of spring arrives again! This was a fun post to read!

Katie: You're right. They really are the nicest gr...

2009-11-04T20:33:23.942-07:00

Katie: You're right. They really are the nicest group of women, even if they do have to survive very tough winters. No wimps among these five gardeners ...

Thanks for your comments. Hope you'll come again. Teresa

Laura: These women are troopers the way they survi...

2009-11-04T20:20:42.110-07:00

Laura: These women are troopers the way they survive winter with such grace. I really enjoyed learning their perspectives on how they cope with this quiet gardening season. Thanks for coming by. Teresa

Since I just started blogging this spring I haven'...

2009-11-04T20:12:22.085-07:00

Since I just started blogging this spring I haven't yet done a full season with my nationwide gardening friends. One of my fav things is learning about what the weather is like everywhere (not just numbers, but reactions to the real thing!) I find it strangely comforting...

Everyone looks so cozy in their winter gear. I ha...

2009-11-04T19:51:15.899-07:00

Everyone looks so cozy in their winter gear. I have to say, I was glad to be moving from Keen Valley, NY when we got snow on October 24th about four years ago. Blech. I like leaves on the trees more than five months at a time.

But cold weather must breed warm souls. These are all such lovely, nice and talented ladies!

Jodi: Your comments added a lot to the story. Than...

2009-11-04T09:58:54.589-07:00

Jodi: Your comments added a lot to the story. Thanks for participating. And I agree with you -- there's something lovely about freshly fallen snow. Enjoy your start to winter. Teresa

Ellen: Kudos to you for surviving winters in centr...

2009-11-04T09:57:23.695-07:00

Ellen: Kudos to you for surviving winters in central MA. Thanks for sharing your tips here. Very interesting. Hope you'll visit again soon. Best, Teresa

Thanks again, Teresa, for including this Colorado ...

2009-11-04T08:47:24.716-07:00

Thanks again, Teresa, for including this Colorado gardener in your winter survival post. It was fun to learn how other gardeners cope with the cold, off season. But, I have to say, I love the changing of the seasons and relish a big snow storm.

Stay warm!
Jodi

Interesting reading from another cold climate gard...

2009-11-04T08:08:52.277-07:00

Interesting reading from another cold climate gardener! Winter is my down time. I use it to write, develop courses, and generally rest indoors from the short but gruelling farming and gardening season here in central MA! We usually do our spring housecleaning during winter too LOL

Starting about February, I start getting antsy but that is when the seed catalogs have conveniently arrived, so I use the time to dream and plan my summer gardens...as well as start some seeds indoors.

Lynn, Helen, Yvonne and Rebecca: Thanks a bunch fo...

2009-11-03T11:16:43.407-07:00

Lynn, Helen, Yvonne and Rebecca: Thanks a bunch for the nice comments. It's fascinating to me that most of you survive the winter with such grace.

Meanwhile, Rebecca, I'm jealous of you living in the Santa Cruz area, of course. But we'll send you lots of snow pictures so you know what you're missing... ;) Teresa

I love this post - such a creative angle to it!! ...

2009-11-03T08:54:47.670-07:00

I love this post - such a creative angle to it!! I don't know how all of you brave, brave souls endure. However, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? That's probably why you all are so incredibly creative both at writing and gardening! Out here, where the weather is pretty mild year round, it's easy to stay positive and easy to garden...throw in challenges like you have, and I think it would definitely weed out the weak (no pun intended)...Here's wishing you a gentle Winter!

Teresa (and all our co-freezies), Great thoughts o...

2009-11-03T08:23:40.144-07:00

Teresa (and all our co-freezies), Great thoughts on overcoming the W-word. Actually, I kind of like winter. A good snow storm can pretty up the city like nothing else; for a morning, at any rate. And it means we have the perfect dormancy period for great garden plants like peonies.

Helen at Toronto Gardens

How lovely to read the inspiring comments of thos...

2009-11-03T07:43:41.266-07:00

How lovely to read the inspiring comments of those great garden writers and Twitter gals. I live in southern Ontario, not that far from Toronto (hello Helen and Sarah), so winter is big deal here too.

But I love it. Maybe it's the fact that I so enjoy taking a break from my ridiculously big garden. November and February are among my favorite months, but I don't know many (any?) Canadians who would agree with me. Maybe that's because I live across the road from a golf course, which I can roam all winter with my camera and my snowshoes.

Another plus living in the country is that clearing snow isn't a big deal when you have tractor and lots of space to put it. And, of course, unlike city snow, it stays nice and pristine.

When I lived in Toronto many moon ago now, I wasn't a big fan of winter. I hated all that salt they pour onto every street and sidewalk. Living in the country created my change of heart. Bring on winter: I'm ready.

Thank you so much for this creative and clever pos...

2009-11-03T04:54:30.900-07:00

Thank you so much for this creative and clever post, Teresa. I love your own philosophical approach to writing on line.

I was flattered to be asked to participate, and feel even more so after reading the comments of such extraordinary women. Heck, I may even start shopping for vintage clothes, canning, or goodness-forbid, exercising this winter.

It snowed two weeks ago in N.H. also, but this week we've witnessed temperatures as high as 75 degrees. I suspect one thing we northern gardeners have in common is the ability to appreciate these unexpected gifts, knowing full well what is in store.

Thinking warm thoughts for each of my fellow interviewees, and for all other hardy, cold-climate gardeners. Spring will be here soon; spring will be here soon...

Enjoy, Lynn