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What Gets You Through the Winter?

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | January 23, 2010 18 Comments

Last updated on December 2nd, 2011


What gets you through the long months of winter? Daydreams of tulips – like ‘Carnival de Nice,’ pictured above? Blooming houseplants? Netflix? Winter-Sowing projects? Tell us how you maintain your sanity while awaiting spring’s imminent sweetness…

Winter Blooms: Iris Reticulata
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Comments

  1. 1

    Eric says

    January 23, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    Great question! I'm going to start winter sowing seeds in February. By getting my containers ready now, I stay focused on spring.

    The return of HBO's “Big Love” helps, too! Are you a fan of the series?

  2. 2

    Adele says

    January 23, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Gorgeous tulips, Kevin!

    Here in the Midwest, we've been socked with horrid weather. I spend my days thinking about all the bulbs under layers of ice and snow, and how wonderful they will be once the spring thaw comes. And frankly, that won't be soon enough!

  3. 3

    Yolanda says

    January 23, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    I'm doing a lot of reading this winter. Gardening catalogs, and also STAR, Peter Biskind's biography of Warren Beatty. Fabulous bio.

  4. 4

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 23, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    Eric – Yes, I follow “Big Love” every season. Amazing writing, and what a great cast!

    Adele – welcome! Looking forward to the great thaw here, too.

    Yolanda – My partner read the Beatty bio and said its wonderful.

  5. 5

    Sharon says

    January 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm

    I've had a crush on Beatty since “Shampoo.”

  6. 6

    Justin says

    January 23, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    Me too.

  7. 7

    Gregory says

    January 23, 2010 at 8:14 pm

    When I walk into my apartment I forget all about winter. I'm lucky to have big windows where dracaena, P. monstera, ferns, and blooming plants like orchids, AVs, and dwarf pelargoniums grow. Lots of green and color here all winter. No need for a Florida vacation.

  8. 8

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 23, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    Sharon & Justin – I just spit out my coffee.

    Gregory – When can I visit?! Honestly, a lavish collection of houseplants does wonders for my psyche, too.

  9. 9

    Randy J says

    January 23, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    Lounging (i.e. sprawled on the sofa) in my sitting room surrounded by blooming forced Grape Hyacinths and Amaryllis flowers with a bottle…oh, I mean a glass of red wine looking thru plant catalogs! The long evenings are spent putting Netflix to the test! Also catching up with good friends whom I do not get to see as much of during the growing season!

  10. 10

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 23, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Randy J – I've heard that red wine actually tastes better when sipped (or chugged) in the presence of grape hyacinths and amaryllis flowers!

  11. 11

    Andrew Thompson says

    January 24, 2010 at 12:32 am

    Kevin, what do you recommend I sip while surveying a group of in-bloom Saintpaulias? I took your advice last month and treated myself to six of these. They are flowering non-stop.

  12. 12

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 24, 2010 at 12:45 am

    Andrew – why not champagne?

    And, congratulations on your recent saintpaulia acquisitions!

  13. 13

    Erin says

    January 24, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    A bouquet of bright yellow tulips on the kitchen table…. I love having fresh flowers in the house at this time of year.

  14. 14

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 24, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    Erin – great idea…it's like placing a vase of spring sunshine on the table!

  15. 15

    Erika says

    January 25, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    What gets me through the months of winter? Well, Kevin, your blog has done wonders to help me cope! I love the plant pictures, the stories, the cultural info. This morning I snipped two dozen forsythia branches, based on your suggestion! You will find a comment under your “Forcing Forsythia” post, too. Thanks!

  16. 16

    Carol says

    January 25, 2010 at 6:28 pm

    Winter sowing has definitely put me in a springtime spirit. And all because of your post on the subject. I've already planted 3 containers!

  17. 17

    Randy J says

    January 27, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    Kevin,
    I am certain that you must be right about the red wine tasting better i nthe presence of the Grape Hyacniths and Amaryllis…but I just can't remember!

  18. 18

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    January 29, 2010 at 2:22 am

    Randy J – now, with what should I toast the blue and pink freesias that are about to bloom in the music room? My guess is a fine, cold Sauvignon blanc.

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