In the Garden now - North v South

Here are two contrasting views of what you should be doing in your garden at this time of year.

According to Pat Stephens from Vancouver "On those cold, wet winter days when gardening has no appeal, curl up by the fire with a cup of hot coffee and read. This is the season to set aside planning time for your projects in the new year. Our local bookstores have some beautiful new books out this season that will tantalize your senses, and they will start you dreaming about new and different ideas for your home and your gardens." Read more...

On the other hand Sharon Hull from Santa Cruz reminds you that there is still work to be done. In her words "If you are new to gardening, or new to gardening in a mild winter coastal climate, you may be a bit perplexed about what you should be doing to put your garden "to bed" for the winter. You may be looking around at tattered plants, some dropping their leaves, and at others that are vigorously pushing out new growth as though it were spring. This is the reality of gardening in a Mediterranean climate. While some plants go to sleep for winter here, others welcome the rains and cool temperatures and respond with abundant growth and flowers." Read more...