[five ways to treat spring fever]
If you’re anything like me, you’re itching to get your hands back in the dirt by now. You’ve had a rest and enjoyed the holidays, but it’s time to get outside already! Even though we really can’t rush spring, I’ve discovered a few ways to shake off winter’s chill.
You can get your hands dirty without venturing out into the cold by starting plants from seeds indoors. This activity also will give you a jump start on the growing season. When it’s time to do your spring planting, your seedlings will be ready to go.
2. Force Flowering Shrubs into Bloom
Early flowering shrubs such as quince, spirea and forsythia can be forced into bloom indoors. The delicate branches covered in blooms instantly add a distinct sophistication to a room.
Plan a ‘daycation’ and go to a flower show. There is nothing like a room filled with blooms and the scent of hardwood mulch to transport a person to a warmer season for the day. We have some pretty impressive flower shows in the U.S., including the Philadelphia Flower Show, Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Washington state and the Chicago Flower and Garden Show. And, of course, there’s the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show, through March 23.
Impatient and resourceful gardeners have long concerned themselves with extending the growing season to increase their harvest. One of my favorite ways to start plants is to use a cloche, a clear bell-shaped glass cover. It looks equal parts terrarium and decorative cake cover and helps nascent plants by keeping them warmer. Frost-tolerant plants such as English peas, lettuce, broccoli and cabbage are all excellent choices for early planting outdoors.
5. Look for Seasonal Produce
To beat the winter blues, amp up your green at the grocery store with seasonal produce. Leafy greens like arugula, spinach and kale thrive in early spring. Pick up a few Brussels sprouts, leeks and heads of cabbage. And thanks to Valentine’s Day, I think we can throw chocolate into the mix as a seasonal food.
The grocery store can be an unexpected ally in beating the winter blues. Spruce up your home with potted plants you pick up during your weekly grocery run. Best bets right now include delicate orchids, forced daffodils, tulips and hyacinths, cape primroses, and bright cyclamen.
By P. Allen Smith
[P. Allen Smith, host of two public television programs, is an award-winning designer and gardening expert. He is the author of several books, including his Seasonal Recipes from the Garden]