Since ancient times, people have sought to inject light, and hope, into the bleak midwinter with fire and light. Evergreen boughs were brought into dwellings as reminders that life continues, and would return to the Earth again as the sun began a rising trajectory toward spring. Berried boughs had particular importance. They bore the seeds of life. We continue these traditions today. They are especially welcome this winter, as the darkness outdoors is overlaid with uncertainty and stress. Still, we defy it all. Coloured lights have been put up early. Trees can be seen lit up in the windows of houses we pass by.
Maine Gardener: Keep up your fresh food supply by growing it inside centralmaine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from centralmaine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Calendulas bring colourful notes to vegetable garden plots. They are very hardy. These plants are blooming at the end of November. Helen Chesnut
Another beautiful late autumn garden flower is Nerine, a South African plant that grows from a bulb and thrives in warm, sunny, well-drained sites. Helen Chesnut This late fall season has been even more heavily garden and plant centred than usual. First, there’s my budding re-addiction to indoor plants. It’s become nearly impossible to pass by a local garden centre that I know is filled with a tantalizing selection of house plants without going in for at least a quick inspection of the leafy enticements. My window ledges are quickly filing up.
It May Feel Like Winter, but It s Time to Shop for Seeds nytimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nytimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.