Winter Solstice in the Sierra Foothill Garden

By 3 commentsCategory: Weather, Winter
Winter solstice 2011

Winter solstice 2011

The winter solstice — which marks the beginning of winter and the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere — comes tonight at 12:30 am EST. Afterward, the days will get longer. Celebration time!

In ancient times, observers watched the sun sink lower in the sky each day, and feared it would disappear completely. The Latin origins of the word “solstice” translate to “sun stands still,” but as gardeners we’re doing anything but!  Here you have all of Mother Nature’s signals telling you to slow down and take it easy. Instead we’re running around like crazy with holiday festivities.

For gardeners, it’s a time to get defensive and think ahead, mulching and giving a little extra water to plants as a shield against cold weather.   It’s a good time to be thinking about garden plants for next year.  Happy Winter Solstice!

Related posts:

  1. A mild Sierra foothill winter-February First Views
  2. Winter check on the Sierra Foothill garden
  3. Winter welcome in the Sierra foothill garden
  4. What to do in Winter in the Sierra foothills garden

3 comments

    • Sue Langley -

      Thanks, Katie, you, too! Let’s put it on our calendars for sometime April-May when we can start planting again. I wonder if we’ll get a ton of rain and snow this winter? Can’t believe the ten day weather for right now! I’m still out puttering in the sun!

  2. Curbstone Valley Farm -

    This ‘winter’ weather is crazy. I can’t believe I’m about to go outside to water the garden…in December! Everything has gotten so dry, even here along the coast. Not to mention cold. 25F here this morning. All of December has been freezing in the mornings. Oh well, at least now the days get longer! Wishing you peace this holiday season, and a joyous New Year (and hoping the New Year brings a little rain)!

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