With steady rains and the holiday season in full swing, I prefer this month to be one of relaxation. I look forward to knowing that although many year-round gardening calendars exist, mine doesn’t have to include a December to-do list. We accomplished a lot if you’ve followed along the past few months. We’ve reflected and made notes on what to plant next season, cleaned up warm weather debris, layered compost, and sowed some winter veggies and flowers. Sure, we could be ambitious and prune some fruit trees, but why? There will be plenty of time come the first of the year. Right now, it’s time to sit back and let the garden do its thing.
Across at our community gardens, it’s much of the same. On the off chance that the sun peaks out of the clouds, you can guarantee a few of our gardeners who live under the redwoods will scurry out to their plots for a quick dose of vitamin D. Otherwise, we are all mostly harvesting greens and relying on our stores of onions, potatoes, and winter squash to see us through this time while the garden nourishes itself and seedlings grow stronger.
When the garden is in watch-and-wait mode, I like to focus on other creative ventures, and I know many of you do the same. I find gardeners are often highly creative and have multiple hobbies that come into play at certain times of the year. Some may take this time to write, make holiday crafts, or bake delicious treats. I enjoy making swags from redwood or pine branches to display on my holiday table or front door.
Recently, my grandma discovered old holiday cards that a great-great aunt used to send out to close family and friends. An avid gardener, she lived in Utah and couldn’t garden most of fall and winter. Instead, she spent her days sketching and drawing her garden and wrote poetry to accompany the scenes. During the holidays, she created personalized cards for close friends and family. The cheer in her cards is uplifting, and I keep one pinned to my mirror for that reason. I wonder if she ever pictured her messages reaching so far into the future. Getting caught up in life can make me forget how meaningful handcrafted items are for the giver and receiver, so this year, I will follow her lead and send off a few notes of my own.
What creative ventures will you endeavor this holiday season? I hope whatever you do this month fills you with joy in a time that can often be stressful. If you are overwhelmed, take a moment to be in your garden or nature. Rainbows abound this month with all the rains, and the coast is far less crowded and pleasant this time of year. Watch. Listen. Feel. I guarantee you’ll come out invigorated and inspired.
From my garden to yours, I’m sending much love and relaxation this holiday season.
Happy Gardening!