Many regions across Canada and even the world are wrapping up daylight savings and thinking ahead to winter… or dreading it. We’ve decided to embrace the beauty of the season and build a winter bucket list!
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Daylight Savings Time
While the majority of Canada still recognizes daylight savings, there are growing whispers suggesting that we get rid of the concept altogether. In fact, parts of the Yukon, Saskatchewan, and British Colombia don’t partake. It’s believed that daylight savings began in Eastern Canada over a century ago as a way to give folks more sunlight in the evenings to enjoy. We don’t know about you, but growing up, we heard everything from “it’s for the farmers” to “it’s for the postal workers!” Parts of Europe used it to save energy during WWI. Even Egypt ended it and brought it back! Where do the gardeners stand? Turns out, we’re just as conflicted as everyone else.
How did it start? | LINK
“Most Countries Don’t Observe DST” | LINK
Winter Bucket List
As gardeners, we’re closely tied to the seasons, especially in Canada. Some parts of the country have already received their first snowfall while others are still enjoy fall colours. In can be easy to dread to incoming cold weather, but we promise you there’s lots to look forward to. Before long, we’ll be heading back into the garden! Colin and I thought it would be fun to put together a little bucket list of winter activities to get us, and hopefully you, excited about the winter season!
- Reflect and plant for next year. Reflect on your successes and challenges during the 2023 gardening season and make some intentions for next year while it’s fresh in your mind.
- Start your garden wishlist, Did a tool break? Did you see a cool gadget on Instagram? While it’s fresh in your mind, make a gardening wishlist!
- Grow herbs and lettuce inside. While some veggies are better grown outside, herbs and lettuce don’t take long to grow and can be great additions to your kitchen! Consider adding a growlight to your home to encourage healthy growth during these shorter days.
- Grow Cannabis. Growing cannabis is a little more involved than your leafy herbs and veggies. Luckily, there’s lots of literature and social groups to lean on for help. Plus, lots of kits to help you get started. A great project for over the winter!
- Plant a winter bulb. These are bulbs that you grow indoors such as Amaryllis, Paperwhites, and Hyacinth. If you start them now, you’ll likely see blooms around the holiday season!
- Add a bird bath or bird feeder to your garden. Find a new way to support our backyard birth friends during the winter. There are heated bird baths on the market as well as bird seed and suet specific to your region! If you start encouraging them now, they’ll remember you and support your garden next spring.
- Decorate your home for the holidays. Did you know that most garden centres stay open over the winter? You can shop for supplies, houseplants, and in some cases, holiday giftware and home decor! Look up your local greenhouse and see what they’ve got going on. You may just start a new annual tradition!
- Create a seasonal outdoor planter. Repurpose your outdoor planters and build a seasonal planter with living greens like cedar, pine, and balsam.
- Obtain a provincial tree permit and cut your own Christmas tree. This is a fun family tradition now for Colin, and it’s quite affordable and fun!
- Hot chocolate on a winter walk in nature or on a winter drive to see Christmas lights. Can this be any more wintery?! Here’s a way to really appreciate the season and make memories while doing so.
- Winter picnic. Yes! Dress warm, pack a few snacky favs, a warm beverage, and hit the road in search of a Bob Ross worthy landscape.
Hypothetical Question of the Week….
“If you could magically grow one fruit or vegetable in your garden out of season during the winter months, what would it be, and why?”
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