Wednesday’s #Winter #Seeds

Whether it’s a stand of Cattails in a wetland or the leftover seed heads from a tried and true perennial, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy, there are always winter seeds to be found throughout the landscape. Though this morning’s snow, pretty as it is, piles up quickly around us, if we look, there is beauty in the winter seeds. Build your foundation of plant materials that leave you with winter seed interest. The list is endless – Hydrangea blossoms are another popular favorite. And if there is no place to plant, you can find Cattails in the wetlands while you take a walk in nature.

Do not abandon your seeds in winter. Find them when the sun comes out tomorrow or the next day…before you know it, it eventually turns into spring. It’s one promise that a garden lover can always keep. As William Blake reminds us, “In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.”

For those in the mix of snow, sleet and winter mess, consider this Wednesday the official seed day - translation: order your seeds. Need some assistance? Use this winter Wednesday for perusing the archived blogs and get your seed ideas. As always, you can send your questions, thoughts, comments…or simply think seeds. Spring follows...trust me. It’s one promise that a garden lover can always keep.

Okay, so only a handful really love the #snow but we can all learn to love the #winter #seeds.


 © Images by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

The Right Blend

John Jordan of +Jordan Winery states “People of balance age as gracefully as wines of balance.” The same can be said about our gardens and landscape design – creating the right blend of what you love and what fits your own lifestyle ultimately determines if your landscape ages gracefully.

Are you one of these passionate folks engaging daily with a garden and outdoor spaces? If so, you see the beauty of your landscape constantly emerging. The trick is (and trust me, we know this better than anyone else) well, it’s to find the balance - just enough, not too much, making sure you can accomplish the right blend and enjoy it. Yes, the essence of a beautiful outdoor living space is finding that balance, just like this beautiful February moment captured on film this morning. It says it all about balance, the right blend.

But Eric Berlin says it best. “Whatever your passion is - even if you're great at it - it can't be the only thing you do... If you do, you'll be great at that one thing... and bad at everything else... Getting that balance is not easy...” So how will you balance your garden, your outdoor space, your passion when the snow melts and we welcome spring?

Only six weeks more weeks of winter remain…and the countdown begins. Here are a few of our favorite seeds for those that are thinking veggies. Seed order placed!

Costata Romanesco Zucchini
Tuffy Acorn Squash
Buttercrunch Bib Lettuce (The Best!)
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Bangkok Hot Peppers
Ancho Chile Peppers
Red Ace Beets
Diablo Brussel Sprouts
Bolero Carrots
San Marzano Tomatoes (The best for sauce - unfortunately on backorder)

Whoa – that was more than a few of the seeds from our order list but there's a whole lot more. Shall we call that balance or passion gone awry? You decide. It's always the right blend - great wine and fresh food. And, of course, it's being passionate about creating harmony and balance. It's the difference in good versus great landscape architecture and design.

© Image by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

True Places

If you ventured outside this first weekend in February, it felt a bit like spring despite the feisty groundhog’s prediction.Now that the month of love is officially upon us, here’s a favorite archived post, The Balance Act. It serves as a pertinent reminder of what February is all about – the heart. So click on The Balance Act and take a refresher course on what keeps everything in check. Find one of the four that you can squeeze in, including growing fresh herbs. Remember that chive and parley image from the January 27th post? It's a great way to get prepared for spring.

But the best way to kick off February - ‘Make a date for a walk.' Get outside. There are so many beautiful outdoor places to discover.  As Herman Melville once said, “It is not down in any map; true places never are.” 

© Image by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.