Is there a gardener living who doesn’t dream of what a new garden season can bring? Our long winter months in the American north encourage that dreaming. The sharp changes from warm to frozen and back again inspired me to freeze some hellebore buds in ice to reflect this spring’s crazy weather. 
The seeds I ordered by Christmas were planted indoors under lights and outdoors in wintersown jugs by early February. 
Lists of plants were made and remade, then ordered – they are now arriving almost daily. 
The garden slowly evolved from its late winter glow 
into early spring bloom 
and then into vibrant spring color. 
The weeping cherry in the center of the circle garden bloomed early 
and profusely.
As always, it was alive with hungry pollinators looking for a early meal. 
Gradually it released its petals as the greens of the garden emerged,
followed by fragrant purple sandcherry blossoms perfuming the air near the deck. 
My biggest garden dream this year is to plant several new woodland garden beds with all native plants. For the past three years, I have been systematically removing invasive plants in the woods and plants that are not pollinator friendly in the garden beds. My longterm goal is to have 70% of the garden plants be native (the woods are already 90%). As I increase that percentage each year, more insects and birds take up home here and grace the garden with their presence.
I’ll be tracking my progress this year as part of a collaboration with some YouTube garden friends as we each pursue and document our garden dreams over the year. Here is my first installment of the video series, let me know what you think below in the comments. Happy garden dreams!
Spring drew on…and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps. Jane Eyre
but in another, it is a way of tracing the exploration of an idea over a long period of time. 
I immediately gravitated to playing with color – it is something that looks good on the screen and people in the northern hemisphere are desperately hungry for color during our long gray and white winters. Creating short garden videos has become a new form of expression for me – I continue to learn and refine my skills while working to add new techniques. My instincts proved correct – my collaboration video has gone a bit viral and gives me encouragement to pursue this avenue of expression. Enjoy a feast of color for the eyes, spring is not far off! 
Her first moments outside were spent dashing joyfully through the deep snow while I laughed at her antics. 
We are just past the Winter Solstice here in the northern hemisphere – each day will now grow longer, bringing more light into our daily lives. It is not surprising that many holidays in December celebrate a season of light with candles, Yule logs, Christmas lights and many other traditions.
raising a sleepy head every so often. 
Whatever you may celebrate this time of year, may the light shine on your path and brighten the new year ahead.
while the leaves in the woods began their slow shift into the colors of fire. 
The trees in the surrounding woods slowly crescendoed from a murmur of pale gold 
to a full-throated song of orange and russet red. 
The leaves lie on the ground and pale winter sunlight has replaced the mysterious shadows and deep colors of autumn. The fall symphony has come to a close and winter waits in the wings, a new season carrying its own quiet beauty.
composerinthegarden 