Winter solstice is an amazing day. This is the shortest day of the year and here in the Pacific Northwest it is really short. The day starts at 7:55 am and finishes at 4:20. The eight hours and 26 minutes seems shorter still if it is cloudy and the sunrise and sunset are not seen. In comparison on June 10th the day was 7hrs and 34 minutes more. As we start the new year I can already feel that the difference. There are feelings of antsy frustration of short days and long nights. I am often pacing in front of the window waiting for the sun to rise so I can go outside. But there is also a feeling of hope. The stretch of beautiful cold weather has lifted my spirits and helped to lift the weight of dark days. The moisture in the air has created a thick frost that builds up day after day. In areas where the sun doesn’t reach it creates a silver sparkled world.
A wander through the garden was an absolute must. While looking for signs of spring I had the chance to observe frost coating on leaves. Even ordinary grass and fallen leaves are turned into beautiful sculptures.
Observation and stillness are needed in the winter garden. Birds take over and can be seen taking seed heads, grubs and sidling up to the bird feeder. Conifers, evergreen ferns, and broad leaved evergreens create the bones of the garden. Even in the cold buds of Camellias are swelling, tips of bulbs are pushing, and hellebores are beginning to lift their heads. Back in the house, warming up again, I start to plan.
One of the best things about the winter garden is there isn’t much to be done. I see the trees that will need pruned next month but the ground is frozen so I can’t dig, even weeds are wedged tightly in the soil. Usually my enjoyment of the garden is lessened by the work that needs to be done. In the winter I can just observe and enjoy.
