Down the Garden Path: Daily Walks Around the Gardens

Raise your hands if you have already begun to walk around your gardens to observe any changes. My hand is raised. As soon as the snow began to retreat from the edges of my gardens, I could not resist walking around the gardens to observe… well… just whatever I could observe. I am ready for the transition to the spring season. I do admit to a bit of jealousy when a friend from Rhode Island e-mailed last Wednesday that, “My daffodils and tulips are popping up!”

On March 12, I listened to a presentation via Zoom that was titled, “Gardening in a Changing Climate.” The speakers were Rebecca Long, the coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Dr. Sean Birkel, the Maine State climatologist. Dr. Birkel reported, and showed supportive scientific data, that Maine is experiencing shorter winters and longer summers, which results in a longer growing season. One point of emphasis that Rebecca made was that when we plant anything we should ensure that we are choosing the right plant to put in the right place. This can be accomplished by taking the time to read about the plant from gardeners that are familiar with the growing conditions in Maine.