Good Intentions

For the second winter in a row the climate, in my Central Florida location, has acted more like spring than winter. Not one single threat of freeze or frost with temperatures only as low as 36F one night.

This Florida girl can take the heat of summer better than most. Truly though, I revel in the change winter promises with brisk coolness and low humidity! This time of year has always been a favorite season for me.

Front garden seating

January is a great month to convert grassy areas and create new planting beds. I've spent every January and February for the last several years doing just that. My garden has expanded and become more garden than lawn as a result and I'm happy and satisfied with it so far. This might be the first January in many years that I decided not to start on any big projects or make major changes to the garden.

Trumpet tree (Brugmansia) blooming repeatedly this winter

This year I was determined to see what it is like to ... wait for it ... take it easy in January. Take a break from the intensity. My thought was to just 'maintain' the garden I've already created. What a concept!

Sanchezia speciosa

You know what I mean? I have in mind that maintenance-only looks something this: keep up with weeding, pruning, mulching, watering, and tweaking while NOT being in the middle of creating simultaneously.

Striking foliage of Stromanthe Trio-star

I love maintenance. I do. But I have to admit it is more difficult to get around to it when my head is swirling with imagination and my hands are busily creating.

A portion of the back garden Tropical Pathway Garden

It didn't take long for my good intentions to be challenged.  One of my neighbors decided to trim their trees the 3rd day of January. Pine and oak trees chopped into fine bits make beautiful mulch for planting beds and pathway reinforcement.

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) Florida native for fabulous winter structure and year round evergreen beauty!

I listened to the hum of powerful saws, heard the grinding wood chipper, smelled the delicious scent of pine chips for an entire day. My mind argued against itself. It reminded me of my idea to rest from the garden for one month. Still, every fiber of my good instincts wanted to inquire about that available free mulch.

Love this winter blooming Star begonia (Begonia heracleifolia) just beginning to bud.

I've done this before. I know what it involves to rid my driveway of mounded mulch by loading so many wheelbarrows full of glorious organic matter.

Unloading on the driveway

I think you know the end to this story. Of course I couldn't resist. I asked. The tree company was happy to share. It saves them a trip to the dump.

Needless to say, I've been working as often as possible every chance since that day to distribute the 10+ yards of yummy free mulch. I don't regret it for one second. Mulch is an essential element in a healthy garden. It helps hold moisture, keeps the weeds at bay, regulates cold and heat and when it breaks down it slowly adds organic matter to my sandy soil. So much for a January-rest from gardening. So much for cleaning out some closets and catching up on indoor projects.

A portion of  the back side of the north-side privacy berm/screen (created in Jan/Feb 2010)
between my yard and my neighbor's.

In the interest of full disclosure, there is one tiny exception to my good intentions. I do have a scheme in my head to take out one more spot of grass along the north side and replace it with plants. I had a plan to wait until February to get started. You know, after I paused from the garden in January. :-)

After I complete that project ... I'm really going to see what it's like to just maintain my garden for a while.

You may also enjoy reading these articles:
10 Easy Steps to Make a New Planting Bed
Tips for Designing a Naturalistic Garden
Building My Garden: A Steady Pursuit
A Stroll Down the Tropical Pathway
Morning's Hopeful Glow

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Happy gardening,
Meems