I HOPE THAT for all of you, Christmas was merry and full of joy! I hope that, in some form, you got together with cherished family members— realizing that this pandemic and omicron COVID variant continues to put a strain on our movement and involvement with the ones and things we love!
With the coming new year just a mere six days away, I turn my attention to the cherished gardens I maintain, and I desire to have the 2022 horticulture season be wonderful and well.
First of all, I am greatly concerned about the very cold weather for the Olympic Peninsula descending upon us this week, as though it didn’t already happen on Christmas or today. Temperatures in the teens can be intense for many of the “marginally hardy” plants you may have purchased or inherited.
This, on top of our incredible mild autumn we have had which in turn has caused many spring plants to begin “breaking out,” can be detrimental.
Couple these two factors of new growth not hardened to frost, with mid-teens temperatures and bad things might happen.
With the Arctic blast coming, many sensitive plants could be at risk. These plants require a vegetative mulch on top of them. (Andrew May/For Peninsula Daily News)
So before it gets even worse, think about protection for your sensitive plants or freestanding pots — cold temperatures could crack the pot — so move them undercover.
Garden show
And speaking of getting worse, COVID-19 has caused me to cancel a great adventure and annual excursion.
The Northwest Flower and Garden Show, the second largest flower show in the nation, just announced it is back this year after a virus postponement in 2021. It is happening Feb. 9-13 at the Washington State Convention Center on Pike Street in Seattle. I have taken a bus load of PDN gardeners to this event on opening day for more than 20 years now.
Well, with the surge of omicron, coupled with the fact that the bus is packed tight, air filtration is not the best and the average age is a youthful 65; alas, I am not going (no PDN Garden bus).
That day 30,000 to 40,000 people jam into the convention center and I think all these things add up to not being wise. And you would hope as I now turn 63, I am getting some wisdom.
To everyone, make your own decision, see what happens six weeks from now and realize it is the second biggest garden show in America (just saying).
For all the show information, pricing, times and schedules go to www.gardenshow.com.
2022 predictions
To finish, since this is the New Year column, how about some of those predictions and resolutions?
The “new normal” will continue to positively impact and grow the horticultural industry.
People are staying home more and paying attention to their house and yard while looking for things to do.
The home edible garden, your “home farm” as well as your neighbors’, will continue to sprout anew and grow.
So, too, will articles specifically targeted to the “home farm” — thus making it easier and more enjoyable all the while messaging out the ideal weather conditions we have here on the Peninsula which make it possible to garden year round!
Your plants will do extremely well this year, because even with climate change, our weather here on the Peninsula is botanically ideal. It is never too hot nor too cold, so resolve to get out there and play in your yard.
Remember, the day’s heat or cold is not about you, it is about your plants and even this cold snap is mild in horticultural terms. The weather here is perfect for plants.
This coming year will be wonderful for your landscape and garden, so be prepared to seize the day.
Have a joyful New Year — may all your thumbs be green and your plants grow faster than the weeds!
Please stay well all and Happy New Year to everyone.
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Andrew May is a freelance writer and ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May)
