Happy January Friends and Happy New Year!
Have you set any goals for yourself this year? Personally, I like to set an intention for the year by choosing a word or phrase to focus on. In 2020 my word was "Metamorphosis". In 2021 it was "What would Wonder Woman Do?". In 2022 it was "Progress not Perfection". In 2023 it was "Gratitude" and last year it was "Dare to be Different". THIS YEAR, I've chosen three words to guide my year: BE Intentional, BE Consistent & BE Disciplined.
What foot are you starting this year on? What word or phrase will you pick to guide your year?
*IMPORANT*:
- Snow is on the ground now but Spring 2025 will be here before you know it!
- NOW is the time to reach out to your garden designers, consultants, landscape contractors and professionals to get on their schedule for next year!
- Don't wait until March/April, 2025 - professional contractors will already be filling up their schedules for next year
What I've Learned Recently
- Where do I START?! January is the time of year that my learning and reading goes into overdrive. Here are some of my highlights so far:
- I've started reading a book recommended to me by a close friend called "No More Mr.Nice Guy" by Dr. Robert Glover. For anyone who identifies as male and is struggling, identifies as any other gender and is struggling OR if you know someone in your life who just seems to keep getting dealt crappy cards in life (so pretty much everyone) - I recommend reading it.
- If you do not yet have a copy of the Northern Wildflowers Seed Catalog, order your FREE copy HERE. It is chalk-full of great seeds to purchase but also great information!
- I found a great outline posted on a Facebook on Orchid care. Sharing it here:
- There is a hardy begonia!!!! Thanks David Milne at Quercus Gardens for bringing this to my attention. I am certainly going to see about getting myself one to try in a microclimate in my own garden:
- I've always been a fan of Dutch Designer Piet Oudolf but I am increasingly becoming a big fan of the work by Nigel Dunnett. Check out some of his work HERE or follow him on Instagram for inspiration.
What to do in Your Garden this Month
- Plan. Dream. Imagine.
- If you are looking for garden inspiration, check out my Pinterest Page for lots of different garden photos
- Have you ever watched Monty Don's "Around the World in 80 Gardens"? It is free to watch on YouTube and it is VERY inspiring!
- May 10th is the average last frost date for London, Ontario. I usually go by May 24th or June 1st. Some seeds require pre-treatment or to be started indoors 8-10 weeks before this date. That means these seeds should be started between March 1 & 15th. Don't start them too soon even though I know you want to...because I WANT TO!
Important Garden, Nature and/or Plant-related News
- The annual Seedy Saturday event in London, Ontario will be at the Carling Heights Optimist Community Center on March 1st! I will be a vendor again this year so come by and say HI
- The Grey County Master Gardeners host FREE online webinars. The first one is on Jan 25th. Click HERE to register!
- Landscape Ontario's annual Plant Symposium is coming up in London, Ontario on February 4th. You can attend in person or virtually. Register HERE
What's New & Exciting with Me?
- Did you hear that I'll be acting in a play?! In March at the Elgin Theatre in St. Thomas, I will be playing a dog named Sylvia in the play - SYLVIA! Get your tickets HERE!
- Landscape Ontario's Congress was AMAZING! I learned so much and had the opportunity to present myself on "Underrated Plants for the Residential Landscape"
- I will be teaching an in-person class titled "Landscape Design: An Introduction". Click HERE for more info and/or to register.
- My Podcast "Hops and Hedges" is a space where I bring on guests to talk about their business, landscaping, plants, gardens, beer, mental health, entrepreneurship and MORE! Give it a listen and a follow AND, if you would like to be a guest or if you would like to nominate anyone - let me know and let's make it happen!
- In other news...I have made it past the first stage in something called "Entrepreneur of Impact". Public voting starts Monday, Jan 20th. You can visit my profile HERE and if you can - vote for me and share with your friends!
If there are any topics or information you'd like me to include - LET ME KNOW!
I'll keep this bulletin short & sweet and promise not to spam you.
One bulletin each month...ish.
Short & Sweet...like me (lol).
Happy Gardening!
~ Heather
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