|
|
|
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
|
Garden Catalogs: Spring at Your Fingertips
| Article
# : |
15868 |
|
|
Section : |
LIFE
|
| Issue
Date : |
1 / 1989 |
1,399 Words |
| Author
: |
Walter Chandoha
Walter Chandoha's pictures and articles have appeared in many
major magazines; and he has also written and illustrated
twenty-four books. |
There's not much a gardener can do in January other than to tend houseplants or windowsill herbs. Although winter is less than a month old, it feels like it's been around forever. But no matter how bleak and cold the weather, with garden catalogs, spring is at your fingertips.
The inspiring garden views and mouth-watering close-ups of fruits, vegetables, berries, and colorful flowers in these catalogs set gardeners to dreaming. Flowers are always in their peak of bloom, never in need of deadheading. There's not a weed in sight--the gardens are either clean and cultivated or heavily mulched. Vegetables are at their peak of ripeness, and flowering trees and shrubs are in magnificent full bloom. What perfection grows in those paper gardens!
As much as I'm inspired by the seed catalogs, I've learned over the years to temper my enthusiasm with practicality. Too many times in the past I've ordered bulbs and plants in the idleness of midwinter and had no opportunity to get them into the ground at planting time. Now I'm more cautious but I still get carried away when it comes to seeds, always buying more than I can use and rationalizing if they're not planted this year most can be used next year.
The beautiful color photographs in garden catalogs entice the dreamer to buy. But before ordering, it's a good idea to study the text describing each variety. Is the plant under consideration suitable for your area? Will it grow in your garden, is it short or tall, does it spread, and do you have room for it? If it's a vegetable, will your family eat it if you grow it? (For years, I couldn't get my kids to eat zucchini; they finally
... (1991 of 8232 Characters)
Read Full Article
|
|
