The calendar says that winter is alive and well here in Connecticut, but looking out the window, I have to wonder a little.

All the plants continued to grow through the month of December. I had cut back my roses on the high side this year just in case this happened. The days kept getting shorter but it just refused to get cold! I noticed that all the daffodils were three inches high the first week of January and the fat, lime-green buds had swelled on the lilacs. The top two nodes broke and started growing on a lot of the roses…most likely, those will need to be amputated during fine pruning this coming Spring.

Here, in the midst of January, an Alberta Clipper howled in at about 4:30 this morning. It was really loud and windy, and when I arose and looked out the window, I could see the bands of snow blowing in sheets! ‘Good,’ I thought. Maybe the kids would have a little snow to play in on this Monday holiday. No such luck; the snow blew itself away, but the cold wind has been making a cacophany of my wind chimes all day.

January Plans

Here we are, January 18th, and no measurable snowfall yet in this unusual winter.

In my younger days, I really used to hate winter. It just lasted forever! Nowadays, though, time seems to gallop and I know Spring will be here before we know it! I have my little ways to make the time pass faster. Our rose society is working on a rose garden for the CT Flower and Garden Show, so that is a lot of fun. All of us recently got together for a holiday party, which was a blast. We are preparing for the annual photo contest for our 2017 calendar at our upcoming February Rose Society Meeting, so I’ve been going through all the garden pictures I shot this past summer. With all this, and a hot fire in the fireplace, the howling wind seems far away! Add a nice glass of dark red wine, and it’s magic!

Winter activities for rose growers

I sometimes find myself just itching to go down to the grocery store…not for food, but to check out the roses in the cooler! Thank goodness for South America and Central America this time of year! Cut roses used to be so expensive, but I can buy a dozen roses for $14.99…I think that’s pretty affordable for putting a happy smile on my face. Every time I look at them I am thrilled with their beauty.

As far as the winter of our discontent, I think that snow lovers can take comfort in the probability that it will get here eventually. There is no way that we’ll get through the winter season without at least a few good snowstorms. I just hope we get some to bury the gardens before the really bitter weather arrives.

Meanwhile, go buy some cut roses, go through some rose catalogs, check out rose places on the internet, and gather with your rose friends. You’ll be glad you did!