ON THE GARDEN PATH by Carolyn Herriot

Each month, Carolyn writes about what she is doing in the garden, the orchard, the greenhouse, with seed saving and soil building, with the intention of helping gardeners of all levels realize they can have the most healthy, productive, and beautiful garden without resorting to substances harmful to humans, pets, wildlife, plants, or the myriad of soil-dwelling organisms.

It amazes me how quickly the garden bounces back after a deep freeze. However, while nature’s resilience is often astounding, in the case of a heavy snowfall, piled-up snow can weigh branches down to the ground, tear off limbs, and wreck evergreens and deciduous shrubs alike. If snow does fall in your area, remember to knock it off the branches of conifers and shrubs to prevent breaking or distorting; when it freezes at night, there will be much less chance of more damage. Clear lower branches first, so snow falling from above doesn’t compound the weight.
Temperamental January offers a weather palette ranging from cold rain and raging wind storms to mild, sunny days, followed by snow dumps with sudden freezes. After unexpected cold snaps, gardeners may lose valuable, outdoor plants, especially tender perennials, as well as container plants and plants overwintering in greenhouses.
Take the following measures to prevent cold snaps from catching you unawares: move container plants to more sheltered spots, such as under house eaves, under the deck, or into the garage. To prevent the soil from freezing, wrap bubble wrap or burlap sacking around container plants left outdoors. You can also place one pot inside a larger pot, and stuff the space between with an insulating material. Cover the crowns of plants that are not totally hardy with straw, a thick mulch of compost or leaf mulch. This stops frost from penetrating and killing the roots. Check the soil around the roots of trees, roses, and shrubs that may have been lifted by frost and snow. It’s surprising how strong winds can uproot even large plant specimens. Check that all plant supports – stakes and ties – are secure, especially if your area experiences storms and high winds.
For the birds
There’s nothing more engaging in winter than hearing a buzzing sound and spotting an Anna’s hummingbird at the feeder outside the window. However, once these tiny birds come to expect hospitality, they rely on you to provide food. The onset of very cold weather leaves them vulnerable, so keep the feeder fresh and filled. I use a recipe of one part sugar dissolved in five parts hot water. In the midst of a deep freeze, thaw out frozen sugar water in the house, and then replace outdoors.
In winter, regularly fill bird feeders with sunflower oilseeds, peanuts, or wild birdseed. This attracts a host of birds, including chickadees, grosbeaks, juncoes, towhees, pine siskins, Stellar’s jays, finches, and others. Remember, though, that not all birds are nut and seed feeders; some prefer fatty scraps or fruit. Keep a pair of binoculars close at hand for first-class viewing.
To attract hummingbirds to your garden later in the year, plant red and orange flowers, such as Monarda didyma (scarlet beebalm), Lonicera spp. (honeysuckle), Fuchsia magellanica (hardy fuchsia), Crocosmia masonorum (Lucifer), and Phygelius spp. (Cape fuchsia).
Birds have five basic needs: food, water, shelter from extreme weather, nesting sites, and protection from predators such as owls, hawks and, most of all, cats. Supply these and you’ll have many more birds around your home. Be sure to place birdhouses outdoors by early March when birds start searching for nesting sites.

Adapted from A Year on the Garden Path, A 52-Week Organic Gardening Guide by Carolyn Herriot. $29.95. Earthfuture Publications, Victoria, BC. Available at Banyen Books, Duthie Books, or at www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath