Snowy winter afternoons, a perfect time to read that novel you haven’t found time for yet, work on that knitting project, or start preparing for the garden.

What?

Prepare for the garden? We still have months of winter left!

True enough.

But now is the perfect time of year to start figuring out what to plant, where to plant it, and get ready to either order seeds from the catalogue or exchange seeds with other gardeners.

Exchanging seeds can be a great way to go if you like to plant heirloom seeds or you are in the market for crops that are not sold at your local grocery store in the spring.

This year, I will be planting some new (to me) crops, as I plan to follow the methods presented in “Four-Season Harvest” In this book, Eliot Coleman teaches his reader that it is possible to harvest year round, even if you live in a zone 5 climate. One of the most elements of his process is to pick a crop that can tolerate cold weather.

So, this year, I am in the market for the following (new to me) garden seeds:

• Arugula
• Green Chicory
• Endive
• Escarole
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Leek
• Mache
• Mizuna
• Radicchio
• Sorrel

While I love the winter, this afternoon has made me look forward to spring!  Do you have any of these seeds?  I’d love to exchange with you.  I’m listing my barter items at Swaperoo.

I have spent the morning looking out the window.

It is raining out. The sheep and chickens have found little corners of shelter.

I have put the tortilini soup in the crock pot and freshly baked bread is warming again for a cozy lunch.

As I watch our land get a nice dose of water, my thoughts turn to fall - - - and all the potential projects waiting for me.

• Dishcloths to knit
• Rugs to stitch together
• A winter pantry to stock
• fruit trees to plant
• perhaps I should harvest the cattail leaves for basket weaving

I am looking forward to a winter of cocooning.

August brings in a mix of feelings for the gardener. The garden is in full abundance. All the hard work that was put into the soil earlier in the year is now paying off. And yet, there is a feeling of regret. It is too late for this year. Time already to think of next. Next year, I will get more tomatoes into the ground. Next year. Next year.

The feeling is accentuated if something has gone wrong. Perhaps a hail storm has come along and wiped out your harvest. Perhaps the animals found their way into the garden and helped themselves! Perhaps you were busy, and the seeds went into the ground late. I have coped with these gardening dissapointments by thinking of next year.

Until Now.

Why?

Because, I’m reading the book, ‘Four-Season Harvest’ by Eliot Coleman. Mr. Coleman lives in Maine and he manages to harvest greens all year long.

What? I can plant seeds in August and September? Let the dirt digging begin. I am inspired.

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