skip to main content

Fed up with winter yet?

MasLovesRoses_z8a GA

2 years ago

Hi friends! I thought that moving from Indiana to Georgia would guarantee that I would enjoy the short, mild winters. However, not so. I’m already done with winter. 😂 My rose orders just keep increasing and I’ve started enough seeds to populate the whole neighborhood.

Are you fed up with winter yet too? What are you currently doing to entertain your gardening self?

Featured Answer

librarian_gardner_8b_pnw

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Thank you for this post. I can relate. What's helped me get through the foggy muddy cold time of year are winter blooms. My house came with a lovely giant viburnum that begins blooming in January. Then what's really been bringing me joy these past two weeks are the hellebores I've planted over the last two years. I'm now thinking of where might be able to squeeze in 2 to3 camellias.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (23)

oursteelers 8B PNW
2 years ago
I find I’m not really a winter flower person. While I do go out and wander the yard with the dogs, I can’t muster any enthusiasm for something blooming now.

Not that I’m not excited when I see signs of spring (daffodils, lilac growth, etc) but I’m excited for spring itself, not something to tide me over until then.

Usually in the winter I draw up plans of where things will go but I’m already caught up on that so I’m mostly looking at pictures…lots and lots of pictures!
MasLovesRoses_z8a GA thanked oursteelers 8B PNW
Related Discussions
Depressed! Disgusted! and just plain fed up!
Q
Comments (36)
I'm all about rescuing! There are sooo many good dogs out there that need loving homes. Even if you are getting into a particular breed, there are alot of rescues out there for plenty of them as well. I live in the city so one would think I wouldn't need a hunting dog. Well, so far he has gotten a rabbit, a dove, & the last conquest was last nite. About 3:30am he starts barking like a mad man, jumping up on the window sill. He's part White Shepherd so he is also a protector. Anyway, he woke me out of a dead sleep & I started to freak out because he never has gone nuts like that before in the middle of the nite. So I get up, turn on the porch light & open the door. Grant you, I would never have done that if he wasn't there, he makes me feel safe :) I didn't see anyone or thing & opened the door. He ran out & w/i seconds I could hear him growling & shaking something in his mouth. Just as I got down the steps I see him running to the walkway shaking his head & sneezing. I looked over to see what he got a hold of & because it was dark, I only saw a black animal with a white stripe...you betcha, a skunk! He sprayed him right in the eye! I got him in the house very easily since the skunk was no longer of interest & got his face washed as best I could. Waited til the crack of dawn to go back outside to see if it was still around & it wasn't so it couldn't have been hurt too bad. In the bathtub he went! The only part I can't get 100% clean is his face :( I washed it 3 times & it still is kind of stinky. I will inform you as of the minute he is doing great, looking well groomed & holding both eyes open! suel41452 has a great point! I adopted him at 1.5yrs & he had been well trained & is a VERY good dog. Being a single person there was no way I could potty train a puppy. Perfect solution for me! The pound dog, the skunkster, my Jasper...
...See More
Fed Up!!! Why can't i get a good haircut?!!!
Q
Comments (19)
It’s November 2018. I haven’t had my haircut since my last bad haircut from about 2 or 3 years ago. I really have never had a good haircut. Ever. I have never walked out of a salon appointment and said, “Wow!”, I look and feel fabulous! Never. Honestly, I’ve had so many bad haircuts as a woman, bad hair color jobs. My last bad haircut escapade was today at a curly hair specific salon in my area. I have frizzy hair at times, with some annoying fly always, and a slight wave. I asked for help with this. They said they could help. But they did nothing to help alleviate those issues. I brought pictures, asked what they thought would look best with my hair texture, density, diameter, face shape, lifestyle and the owner pointed to one said style. So I trusted her. I told them about my bad hair cut experiences and I was worried about getting another bad haircut. I told the trainee and the owner who is supposed to be the most experienced and best at what she does there. I told them what I did not want, what looked terrible on me in the past, where I wanted my bangs to fall (a swoop like choppy bang that was longer and fell below my eyebrows but not poking me in my eyes. You know half way between my brows and eyes. And not make them thin looking. And to give me layers that would give me the look of width at my cheekbones, to shorten the appearance of my long thin face. I got instead faux layers, that didn’t add width at all to my face, short thin wispy bangs that are a bit above my brows. She cut them way too short and said that she would do what I asked and have them fall longer between my brows and eyes. She suggested I get a straight across bang, cuz she thought it would look better(the owner said this, and did my bangs). She did not do what she said. She did the opposite of what I told her that I wanted. It’s called Anti-Listening. Or horrible customer service. Let’s just give our customers the opposite of what the asked for! She gave me the worst short ugly bangs that I told them not to give me. I hate my hair/haircut. I look so ugly now. I’m so upset that this happened to me again. I’ve never been to this salon before and got the trainee who they told me had 13 years as a stylist in a salon. Which was a lie. She just recently graduated from hair school and has only been in the field for a year and a half. I was definitely deceived. I would’ve never gone to her, if I knew this. She did basic stuff and the owner came over quite a bit telling her how to do this and that. I was wondering why a experienced stylist would need help with the most basic of cutting techniques.... and supposedly she was trained thoroughly in the techniques of the curly salon, as the urged me, that I could have utter confidence her abilities, still not knowing that she was inexperienced as a stylist. It was only until after I was getting my haircut by her, the trainee, that she wasn’t experienced really. I was like, Oh Shirt! WTF. Then, you would think the owner would be an awesome stylist and not butcher someone’s hair, let alone bangs. But she butchered my bangs. I look terrible. Then they wanted to take my picture of before and after. The before was fine. But the after pics my stylist took, were the most unflattering pics, that made my nose and eyes look, unflattering. I would not agree to them putting my face up on their site. Just the back of my hair. Ugh. How am I going to go out in public? They said to me, wow you look great! But they never asked me how I liked my hair. I was not happy. I felt depressed and was in shock. Then it came time to pay. $40. Then the tip. I hate the whole tip issue. I hate tipping. It’s stupid. It’s forced guilt. I was confused. They had the labels above the tips like this... Good(15%,), Great(20%), (Wow!(30 or 40%), Custom etc. I wasn’t sure what to do. I was afraid to do no tip, even in spite of my bad haircut experience. So I picked (Good-15%). The desk attendant asked me how I liked my cut, I just said the non committal thing, “I don’t know, I have to let it sink in”. I really wanted to say, I look like s**t. Thanks for making me want to cover my head with a paper bag! And the owner came up to me and asked if I remembered all the instructions about how to style my hair. I said yeah, the best I can remember. But nothing in asking how satisfied I was. She really didn’t care. And my stylist just said a lame goodbye and scoffed me off, like dandruff and moved onto her next client. Whatever. Then their bathroom was dimly lit, I could barely see in there and there wa nothing to dry my hands on, and barely any soap. This is supposed to be an upscale salon. And the bathroom was just bad. My face now looks longer and thinner than it did with my longer hair and not wider in the least. In whom can I trust with my hair? I think the reality is, No One. No matter what they say, no matter what you tell them, what pictures you bring, no matter what you emphatically tell them no to do to you, or do, they will do whatever they dang well please. And I don’t believe you can ever know until the damage has been done, what you will ultimately get in the end. It’s really unbelievable. What’s wrong with this world? I am so not wanting to step into another salon ever again, when you just can’t trust any stylist to give you a good cut/style. I honestly don’t know what to do. The only thing I can think of is just not get my haircut again. Cuz it just doesn’t end well. Sad.
...See More
DIYer wakin up from winter What? We're not done yet?
Q
Comments (17)
Yes! I was really freaked out when I first noticed it! My heart just sunk. I had worked for weeks getting the bottom on this pool perfect, just perfect. I wanted those expensive ColorLogicLEDs to look perfect when reflecting across this glassy smooth pool bottom (OK, maybe it wasn't glassy smooth, but those lights were all I could think about when I was troweling it on!) This pool bottom was really really smooth. But unfortunately I couldn't drop the liner in immediately due to the irregular pool shape. The liner had to be custom measured (using point-to-point) and custom made. It was supposed to take 2 weeks to get here, but the manufacturer ended up taking nearly 2 months!! By then the weather had turned cold. We left standing water in the pool bottom and around the pool itself. The water was freezing and thawing (both on top of, and underneath the surface) which cracked the pool bottom. We never even realized it until it was too late. However just before we drop in the liner, we are going to COMPLETELY remove those "cracked" sections with a sledge hammer, and totally replace it with a new bottom in those places. Can anyone think of anything better to do? (short of demolishing the whole thing) What would you do if this was a liner replacement? My biggest concern with the moving sections was not just to repair them, but to determine what caused them in the first place. The "Good News" was that I'm fairly certain that it was the standing water/freeze/thaw conditions that created the problem. By knowing that, I can redirect the water, let the soil dry out, and then feel confident that repairing the section will work. I'm just a simple DIYer, so I may be missing something here. That's one of the reasons that I'm posting it. Can anyone think of a better way to handle it? Would it be helpful to add rebar in those sections? (I wouldn't think so, as the rest of the pool doesn't have it.) This pool bottom seems really fragile. The directions for the installation say to only walk on it with soft bottomed shoes, don't spray water from a hose directly on it, etc. When I work with the portland cement/sand mix, I feel like I'm building a giant sandcastle! It's not at all strong like cement or even mortar. My personal feeling is that the sooner the liner is on it the better. My mistake seems to be letting Old Man Winter get here in between finishing the bottom, and dropping in that liner! Please keep the suggestions comin'!! -Renee
...See More
Fed up
Q
Comments (11)
I think there are times we like to chit-chat with service workers and other times we just want to get the business done and get on with our lives. Some service workers are skilled in gauging whether a customer wants the chit-chat, others not so much (and vice versa). Your demeanor and body language should send out a signal of your intentions. If you're not in the mood for chit-chat, put on your "I'm all business" face. In this economy, I'm sure salespeople are getting extra training to make you a repeat customer, as cynic says. (There are times at the grocery store where I'm annoyed that the checkout clerk doesn't say "Thank you" -- other times, I just want to get out of there and get to my next errand and don't care about whether there's a "Thank you" or not. There's always a "Thank you" from me, whether for the clerk or the bagger. People's moods just change...) But I can see how asking too many questions could come across as nosiness. I like a little chit-chat, but I don't like unnecessary prying. And maybe the banking representative doesn't have anybody to talk to at home, and the co-workers are tired of talking with her!
...See More
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
2 years ago
Librarian, your Hellebores are gorgeous. I have never grown any but looks like I should.

We have had a way too mild winter and that is concerning as well.

Last year was the first that I remember a water shortage. Oregon used to be known for its rainfall , not anymore.
MasLovesRoses_z8a GA thanked Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
librarian_gardner_8b_pnw
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Kristine, every winter I hope for a good amount of rain and it's really scary the years we don't have it. We don't have the infrastructure to live with drought and fires in the dry years. The western communities were built for a different climate than the one we're now getting.
Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I've also got some seeds started inside, though it's too early. I couldn't wait any longer, I started a few types of flowers and two small trays of lettuce. One will get just water and the other will get water plus the liquid seedling fertilizer I've got to see if it is even making a difference. I'm also re-doing my garden plan, something I always do a few times a winter because I keep changing my mind and/or acquiring new seeds. Plus we recently adopted 2 guinea pigs so I also planned a section of the veg beds to be a "guinea pig garden" because they eat so much fresh produce.

Also "winter blooms" is some luxury that zone 5 doesn't have haha.
MasLovesRoses_z8a GA thanked Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b)
rosecanadian
2 years ago
Yes, I am soooo ready for spring!!
User
2 years ago
I've started my delphinium seeds indoors - last year I started them WAY too early and they bloomed at the end of April! I'm hoping I've timed it this year so they'll bloom with the roses in late May/early June. And I'm winter-sowing outdoors: poppies, larkspur, cornflowers, etc. I have tons more seeds to start, I'm trying to resist getting things going too early!

Librarian-gardener, your hellbores are magnificent! I love hellebores. It's too early here (and cold - single digits at night) for them to be blooming yet, but I can't wait. Other early bloomers I love are winter aconites (eranthus hyemalis) snowdrops, and my prunus mume "Peggy Clark". And of course the early species crocus! But I'll have to wait at least another month for all of these. Sigh.
summercloud -- NC zone 7b
2 years ago
I need to go check on my hellebores! Thanks for the reminder!

I really shouldn't start indoor seeds until the end of February. I've been browsing the seed and bulb catalogs I keep getting in the mail--even though I really don't need more seeds or bulbs. I might buy some anyway! And I saw a lot of clematis are back in stock at Brushwood Nursery; I want to buy at least one to climb up Poseidon but I'll probably take my time picking. I definitely browse future plants to cope with later winter.
MasLovesRoses_z8a GA
Original Author
2 years ago
@librarian_gardner_8b_pnw Your collection of hellebores is magnificent. Maybe i need to hit the nurseries in search for some more. LOL! I am in the hunt for Professor Sargent camellia but haven't found it yet. I saw it last year and have regretted not buying it ever since.

@oursteelers 8B PNW your comment makes me laugh.

Sounds like everyone is 'editing' their garden plans. I need to take more pictures this year to get me through the winter time.

@User I wish I could grow delphiniums but I'm told they don't like the heat and humidity here. Do yours stay perennial or do you plant them every year as annuals? What variety do you plant that blooms the first year?
LauraLG Z5b-NwPA
2 years ago
Winter is so tough for me! It lasts quite a while here in zone 5 so by the time January comes along I’m more than ready for spring which is still months away! I get through it with online orders and window shopping when i can’t buy any more. Ha Ha! I checked on my hellebores last week and can see some new shoots making their way up but it will still be March before they open. Still, it’s the first whispers of spring and I’ll take what I can get.
User
2 years ago
MasLovesRoses, I grow Pacific Giants, Bellamosa, Guardian Blue, and Magic Fountains. You can get individual varieties (YES!) at Swallowtail nursery - I really prefer doing this, rather than getting mixes, because I mainly want blues and purples. For me, delphiniums will last a few years (particularly the bellamosums) but I can't always count on it. Though I have found that if I plant them with a big handful of lime, that helps. It also helps if the winter isn't too too wet.

They do bloom reliably their first year from seed. What has made a HUGE difference for me are these truly wonderful LED plant lights that my DH got for me. Before, starting them under flourescents, I couldn't get them to start blooming til late June/early July no matter how early I started them. And I want them to bloom with my roses in late May early June! But with these incredible LED lights, lat year I started them in Dec. and they were blooming by the end of April! So this year, I hope by starting them around now, they should be blooming end of May. We'll see!

Because I now have these amazing lights, I'm also going to try the Chinese delphiniums from seed. I never had any luck with them before, but I have high hopes this time around.
Ashley Smith zone 5a
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Frances in NJ do you know what brand of lights you got? I've been looking at plant starting lights but it's all a little confusing! Such huge selection to go through.

I've been coping with winter by buying copious amounts of seeds and searching for hard to come by roses that my heart can't let go of! Half of the fun of rose gardening is the thrill of the search. It makes winter actually doable.
Aaron Rosarian Zone 5b
2 years ago
I'm with everyone else. Lenten roses and crocuses are things I'm waiting with baited breath for. Also, there are fragrant pink forsythia! https://www.quackingrassnursery.com/plant/Abeliophyllum-distichum-Roseum
User
2 years ago
Ashley Smith, here are my lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QCT6Q4T?th=1

The brand name is Monios. They are great!
MasLovesRoses_z8a GA
Original Author
2 years ago
@Aaron Rosarian Zone 5b I've never seen pink forsythia before! Do you currently grow it? Talk about waiting for the forsythia to bloom to start pruning. That one looks delightful.

@User I already put an order from Swallowtail for all kinds of seeds. I might have to do another order with delphiniums. I've always admired them. Even if they only grow as annuals as long as they bloom the first year, it would be worth it. Is your soil normally acidic?

I went to the plant nursery yesterday to check out blooms.
MasLovesRoses_z8a GA
Original Author
2 years ago
Check out this camellia that was blooming. The blooms were as big as peonies.
rosecanadian
2 years ago
Oh, WOW!!! Stunning in every way!! :) :) Did you buy it?
User
2 years ago
MasLovesRoses, my soil is acidic. if yours is alkaline, you might not need the lime - delphiniums like alkaline-ish soil, or neutral anyway.

I think it's well worth growing them, even if they won't be perennial, or perfect for that matter. I was in Alaska this past summer, and the delphiniums there are glorious - huge, tall as me, and they grow everywhere, even in vacant lots! Mine will never be like that, but those gorgeous blues and purples are like nothing else, and I love the graceful spike shapes - they always make me think of Debussy's "Sunken Cathedral" - the spires rising from the ocean. So beautiful! And just incredible with roses!
MasLovesRoses_z8a GA
Original Author
2 years ago
Nah Carol, it was $79.99. I’ve already spent too much on roses on all my additions this month. Maybe if it goes on sale.

Frances, I have acidic soil too but I’m excited to try the delphinium from seeds. Do you mind posting a picture of your grow light setup? I’m looking for ideas.
rosecanadian
2 years ago
Frances - so true!! Delphiniums are truly gorgeous!!

Mas - yup...I hear you...expensive. :)
summersrhythm_z6a
2 years ago
Nope, I love winter too. :-) I have too much gardening work to do in the spring: moving hundreds of roses from the old garden to the new. I don't mind the cold and snow, got too many lovely winter gears to chill. :-)
rosecanadian
2 years ago
Yes, you have a lot of work with moving...and you're building a barn too? Enjoy winter, spring will come when it comes. :)
summersrhythm_z6a
2 years ago
Thanks Carol. No barn is in the near future. We got a 12' x 40' Amish shed for now to help out with tractor and lawn equipment storage.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Kumquats for a Juiced-Up Winter

By Steve Asbell

Grow it for the edible fruit or its good looks alone. This citrus cousin will brighten any gray winter day

LIFE Cozy Up to Winter Scenes Across the U.S. and Beyond

By Annie Thornton

Houzz readers share their views of the season

Warm Up Your Home for Winter

By Shawn Gauthier

Look forward to the indoor season, equipped with a cozy environment at home

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Cozy Up Your Space for Winter

By Trina McNeilly

20 ways to get your home ready for cool weather

UPHOLSTERY Fabric Focus: Cozy Up to Fall and Winter With Wool Decor

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Environmentally friendly, durable and insulating, wool is an all-around good pick for home furnishings

DECLUTTERING Shed Winter Clutter to Lighten Up Your Home for Warmer Days

By Tailorly, Professional Home Organizing

Take a fresh approach to spring cleaning with these 6 ways to declutter cold-weather items

LIFE Simple Pleasures: A Long Winter’s Nap

By Laura Gaskill

This time of year we can always use a little extra rest. Make it easy with these ideas for daytime napping

GARDENING GUIDES On the Up and Up: Expert Advice for Growing a Green Wall

By Rebecca Gross

Houzz pros share solutions for 7 common challenges you can face with a vertical garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Warm Up Your Home With an Evergreen Windbreak

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Plant tall trees for more warmth in winter, serenity in summer and good looks all year long

PATIOS Don’t Put Away the Patio Furniture Just Yet

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Look for durable materials on outdoor furniture and cozy up your patio for year-round enjoyment, weather permitting

Sponsored

More Discussions

Anyone get your roses from Garden Roses yet?

718

ROSES in UK/Europe.. 2024.. Spring/Summer

916

Leap into Spring with Us - Seasonal Thread

364

My first Paul Barden roses

34

Is Popcorn thornless?

30