I am not sure if this is an appropriate thread, but I thought it would be interesting to hear how everyone spends their winter months. I am as much into baking as I am into gardening, so I look forward to the winter months when I can put on my apron and do some baking again. I was an artist of sorts for 30 years, so I am trying to teach myself to paint on cookies instead of wood and metal. It is a bit of a challenge because all the mediums have to be edible, so it's a bit harder than what I did for a living, lol. I have several teas in the winter months also and have started collecting really unusual pieces of china. I may soon need a new china cupboard as it's hard to resist some of the pieces I see at the local flea market.
What do all of you do when you can't be in the garden???

Fun topic, Karen.

I move my growing indoors! I have several sets of grow lights, so I overwinter some herbs, and grow some smaller things indoors (bok choy, lettuce, etc) inside. I've just recently started experimenting with hydroponics, so will do a bit more of that this winter.

I also take this time to buy seeds, plan gardens, etc. I'm quite involved with our county Master Gardeners group, and I am chairperson of the committee that maintains our demonstration herb beds. I try to do some new things up there each year, so spend time planning, getting my committee organized, etc. Our MG also has a huge plant sale each May, and I head up the group that is in charge of herbs and veggies. Again, lots of volunteers to organize, seeds to buy, and I grow tons of plants for both activities.

Other than the things I grow for our personal use, I start gearing up in January for everything else. Some plants (leeks/onions) can be started from seed early in our zone.

I love to cook, also, and love baking. I did some canning for the first time this year, so look forward to using some of our produce throughout the winter months.

I dream of spring. Winter is not really my season as I am very much a summer person.

I read much more in the winter as I have more time and watch much more TV than during the summer.

I feel less garden-guilt. During warm months, I always know how far behind I am on weeding, mulching, etc.

During the winter, I have no guilt until January, when I feel bad if I didn't start many Salvia, Petunias or Violas indoors. Then in February, I can look forward to feeling guilty about not starting Delphiniums, Cosmos or Marigolds.

I used to pore over seed catalogs, but now I organize my seed collection.

I get my iris seedlings started, order some seeds. look through the seed catalogs, this winter I'm going to start some more artichokes. I grew some a few years ago, and I want to try them again. Of course, with 22 horses, I am outside a lot taking care of them. I also develop my iris wish list. Plan where I might make new beds. And, like Rita, dream of summer and the iris bloom season.

Thanks for joining in everyone.

Rick, we are going to have to do something about all that guilt, lol.

Tom, what in the world do you do with 22 horses? Do you ride a lot or just like having them around like I would.

Rita, I do dream of spring, but at least not until February when the holidays are over.

Linda I have never been any good at starting seeds, but I do love to can things up for the winter months and to give as gifts.

I have raised many world champions and reserve world campion horses. There used to be a market for them. I've pretty much ended my breeding program as when the economy goes sour, horses are not considered necessary. Then throw in a dought and extremly high priced hay and feed, and it's not pretty. So I've sold off a few, and some are getting old and are living out their lives. Here's a video of one I had trained last year. I have spent over $5000 in training. She's a very good quality horse but I doubt I'll get my money back out of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

I am so impressed. What a pleasure to ride such a beautifully trained horse. She is a beauty, Tom.

Tom, that is beautiful -- how can anyone NOT love horses??

During the winter I read seed catalogs, clean my house that didn't get much attention during the gardening season, experiment with baking sourdough and other bread recipes, maybe a few knitting and quilting projects, read, and bowl on a Friday night league. By February I'm starting seeds for the garden, under fluorescent lights in a closet, so that almost starts to seem like spring to me

I'm lucky, I Iive in Florida. I have 40,000 plants that don't take a vacation. Luckily, I have 7200 square feet of greenhouse space to house the plants that can't handle our freeze events. I'm not in a real warm spot. It DID get down to 15F a few years ago but I know that is nothing compared to what people have up north. Tom

That is a lot of plants.

cycadjungle said:I'm lucky, I Iive in Florida. I have 40,000 plants that don't take a vacation. Luckily, I have 7200 square feet of greenhouse space to house the plants that can't handle our freeze events. I'm not in a real warm spot. It DID get down to 15F a few years ago but I know that is nothing compared to what people have up north. Tom

Yes, Tom, by my standards that IS a "real warm spot"

I hibernate in the winter and think about the upcoming holidays and what me and deb will be cooking.

Tom number 1 - what type of champion horses are they

Tom numbe 2 - that's a lot of plants

Most of my horses are registered with the American Paint Horse Assoc. I have a few Quarter Horses, and one Thoroughbred Stallion. The mare in the video is a Paint.

I am in the subtropics. I just keep on gardening.

Sometimes I think it would be great to move someplace so I could garden all year, but I do love the different seasons. We did have a ton of the white stuff last year, but when you don't have to go someplace every day, it's really pretty. Of course, I worry about the kids and grand kids until I know they are safely to their destinations each day. I try not to think about them on the roads, but you can't help it once you lose one that way. Our granddaughter has a 4hour drive to school and she comes home way too often. If I had my way, she would stay up there for the whole year, lol.

Karen - I understand what you are saying. i've heard and read that this winter will be a really bad one for the east coast.

cycadjungle said:. Luckily, I have 7200 square feet of greenhouse space to

If I had that, I would feel I'd died and gone to heaven!!!!

Cookies4kids said:...move someplace so I could garden all year, but I do love the different seasons....

Yes. Fall is my favorite time of year, always has been, and thought there is much to love about Northern California, I am glad I have 4 distinct seasons again. I do wish Spring and Fall were 5 months each though, so my garden would have it's off season for fewer than 6 months and I wouldn't have more than 4 weeks of sauna season.....

No, I am all for banning autumn and winter.