Here in central Sweden we've just had the second awfully cold winter running. The good thing was the snow cover, not a benefit we can count on every year. All smaller roses, whether floribundas, HT's or shorter or newly planted modern shrubs have shown very little damage. And since they bloom on new wood I don't worry. Ispahan, Fantin Latour, Bourbon Queen, Secret Garden Musk Climber and Veilchenblau are frozen to the ground as there was not enough snow over them in their windy corner. They all live but are not much use as they all bloom on old wood. I am especially disappointed in Ispahan that has been a bloom machine since 1996 in my garden. I am shocked that it should suddenly prove less hardy. All other damasks as well as gallicas, albas and centifolias are quite as usual, not a bit frozen. Last year we had the same kind of winter and then I lost three climbers, Constance Spry, American Pillar and Cl. American Beauty. I may have to reconsider many climbers and ramblers in the garden as they are the most vulnerable and even 4 ft of snow won't do them much good. I never cover any roses. The helenae ramblers, Lykkefund and a local hybrid called simply Hybrida are completely unscathed and all the Geschwind clmbers, too. I have Erinnerung an Brod, Gilda, Himmelsauge, Horstmeisters Heim, Aurelia Liffa, Caroline Bank, Geschwinds Nordlandrose and Geschwinds Orden. The Horvath climbers Jean Lafitte and Long John Silver are okay, too. Flammentanz is tip green now but more than half of it froze last year. I don't understand why as conditions were the same.

Those winter scenes sure are familiar! We have about the same amount of snow here. I actually would welcome more snow since my husband's business relies on snow revenue and the past 2 winters have been brutal on his business and our pocketbook. I'm not crazy about it personally, but it is 'white gold' to many. Plus, I do like it blanketing my daylilies over the winter. We have the same birds at our feeders as well. I so enjoy all the birds in the dead of winter. We have feeders everywhere, of every kind imaginable, and suet cakes too. My favorite feeder is the one right by my kitchen window where I can watch the birds up close while I do my dishes. My cats like to sit and watch them too and cures their winter boredom. I am always happy to hear that a kitty has found a loving home. Lucky Marmalade to show up at your doorstep! As I've mentioned before, I am jealous of all that land you have....just wonderful open space. I have too much of woods around me and not enough sunlight! Celeste

I think you may be approaching this from the wrong direction. In most areas of the country, the bulk of the hort positions, especially those that do not have a lot of degrees behind them, tend to be rather seasonal in nature. And even in the milder areas of the country, like the southwest, southern California, etc., that usually coincides with the primary growing season - April through September/October. So your chances of finding a temporary position in the "off season" would be greatly reduced. Even along the west coast where one can garden all 12 months and nurseries are open year round, thing slow down dramatically from November to March. Yes, established landscape companies do work throughout the winter, but do you really want to be doing the hard, very physical grunt work typically associated with landscape installation or would you prefer something a bit lighter? If you are looking at something like nursery sales, then I think you need to focus on finding a seasonal position close to home where you will be present during the growing season and save your time in CA for rest and relaxation. Perhaps other readers located in SoCal or the southwest might have different input for you, but from my perspective, I doubt you will find much available for such a short period of time and at a rather "off" time of year.

Here's my little snow bunny! I had to pull on boots over my bare feet and a coat over my PJs and go rescue her this morning. Later I shoveled a path for her and my other dog. Didn't lose power - yet. Some evergreen shrubs are split or laying on the ground covered with snow tho. :( Thank goodness I don't have to be anywhere and try to drive; but can never resist getting bundled up and taking a walk and look around after a big snow. Plus, it's still snowing! Tami, I don't remember the names of the grocery stores but they were right on the main drag through Lorain, mostly small family run stores. Had the greatest deli cases too with delicious Cuban, Puerto Rican or Mexican dishes all cooked and ready. We usually stopped at two or three before heading home.