Gardener's Winter

Joanne Mohan • January 1, 2024

Gardening is a practice of managing expectations, anticipating outcomes, and cultivating hope. This resonates in an old rhyme for seeding, “One for the mouse, one for the crow, one for the ground, and one to grow”. Gardeners know that as you invest time and energy into each plant, you will forego some to the small critters, some to the birds, and some to the soil.

We understand that gardening as a process is far more beneficial and therapeutic than outcomes and results. We work with a lot of gardeners, from experts to beginners and we are always learning new ideas to improve our gardens and their resiliency.

There are many types of gardeners and regardless of the style, we all experience our gardens as somewhere growth and hope are nurtured. We anticipate the next season when the first snowdrops will peak out, and hope for an early summer peony bloom, long-lasting hydrangea and finally embracing fall when the burning bush turns flame red. This growth and perpetual cycle inspire and encourage every gardener to continue each season and year.

A garden, no matter the size, can present a soothing space to reflect and appreciate. The demands on a gardener can be to weed, water prune, and then sit back and enjoy their effort. Spending time with plants and watching them perform through the seasons is restorative. Gardeners rarely feel guilt or anxiety resting in the winter months as they know Spring is coming. As we walk around our gardens in the low light of December and January, we can remember what performed effortlessly and what struggled through the seasons.

The gardener embraces the winter months as a time to reflect and plan. The winter offers time to research and consider areas of the garden that might be ideal for a change in purpose, changing lawn areas to mulch with seasonal bulbs, planting a thyme lawn, adding in some trees, or a compost area. Maybe a rain garden, a permeable patio, or raised planters? Gardeners see the winter months as a chance to catch up on reading and learning old and new ideas.

As these winter months descend in our gardens, we remember Spring is coming and we thank all the gardeners out there for your hands in maintaining green spaces, planting trees and shrubs, choosing native when possible, reducing non-permeable surfaces, leaving an area unkempt for wildlife, and participating in a global effort to become more climate resilient enhancing our biodiversity one garden at a time.


Learn how you can design your climate-resilient property with our 5-week mini course starting on February 6th, 2024.
Further details at parklanelandscape.ca 

Unplug, Disconnect, Bloom!

By Joanne Mohan • August 18, 2025
Unplug, Disconnect, Bloom!

Winter Gardening

By Joanne Mohan • August 18, 2025
During the winter months, it's completely natural and acceptable to adopt a more laid-back attitude toward your garden. As temperatures drop and snow begins to cover the ground, most plants enter a state of dormancy, making winter a time when many gardeners can take a well-deserved break. This is an opportunity to appreciate the unique beauty that winter brings to your outdoor space. The skeletal branches of trees can create striking silhouettes against the crisp, clear sky, while winter-blooming plants, like hellebores and winter jasmine, add unexpected pops of color. Consider how the landscape transforms, with the quiet stillness allowing for reflection and rest. Instead of worrying about weeding or pruning, embrace this season of inactivity. You can enjoy cozy moments indoors, perhaps with a warm beverage, while dreaming of the vibrant blooms and lush greenery that will return with spring. Allow yourself to recharge and relish the tranquil beauty of your garden during this quieter time, knowing that it will soon awaken to life again. Winter gardening offers a unique opportunity to engage in a variety of activities that can enhance both your garden and your gardening skills. One enjoyable task is to create a winter garden plan, where you can research and select plants that thrive in colder months, such as evergreens and winter-blooming flowers. You can also take this time to prepare for spring by organizing your gardening tools, cleaning pots, and starting seeds indoors for future planting. It’s a great time for winter pruning of certain trees and shrubs, which promotes healthier growth in the spring. The winter months provide a valuable opportunity to prepare and organize for the upcoming spring and summer seasons in your garden. This is the ideal time to assess your needs, set clear goals, and create a comprehensive plan. Consider reaching out to professionals for ideas and designs. Many companies are still working and scheduling work for early Spring. If you hope to have landscaping completed for Summer, start planning now and call Parklane Landscapes at 705-327-0064 or visit our website parklanelandscapes.ca