What cures your winter blues?  

Less sun. More clouds. I’m weary of winter weather. Wait, let me check the calendar, yep, it’s only January.

Nothing lifts me up during dreary winter more than the arrival of the first Burpee catalogue – an ultimate wish book for gardeners of all varieties. The big book covered with flowers is the first sign that spring is coming. Inside, Burpee’s pages contain enticing new plants along with familiar favorites. Now I can dream about planting and playing in my herb and flower gardens.) My imagination lets me feel the gentle sunshine on my face and smell the fresh earthy garden dirt on my hands.   

Holding the colorful catalogue delights me as much as spotting the first purple crocus in the barren patch of dirt by the porch. Early spring flowers – the crocus, daffodils, and tulips – will create clumps of color in the neighborhood. While some unlucky blooms become buried in the snow days later, I appreciate them for not only their beauty, but for their hardiness.

For now, I am content knowing more seed, vegetable, and flower catalogues will be planted in my mailbox. Bluestone Perennials, my beloved nursery in Madison, OH, arrives second, giving me more glossy pages to peruse.

Next up is the Philadelphia Flower Show packet promising that I’ll be “immersed in a flower-filled garden wonderland,” should I attend. The Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS), which organizes this marquee event, is trying to grow its membership with these mailings. The PHS also offers its members tours of private gardens. I’m fortunate to live in an area dedicated to educating people about plants.  

Morris Arboretum & Gardens is all about conserving plants and ecosystems. Morris Arboretum is open all seasons. I marvel at its vast collection of trees. (I promise a later musing about the historic fernery on its grounds.)

 This Morris course catalogue will keep me busy. What should I register for?  “Forest Bathing for your Health,” “Yoga in the Treetops,” or “Tai Chi in the Garden?” Then there’s birding, photography, and moonlight discovery walks.  Each course, lecture, and outing sounds like an escape from the winter blahs.

            Keep the catalogues coming to chase my blues away!