The Whistling Gardener

by Steve Smith

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville, located at 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., and a respected local expert on all things horticultural. You can reach Steve at 425-334-2002 or by e-mail at info@sunnysidenursery.net.

2011: Not great, but better than the two previous years.

In many ways 2011 was a carbon copy of 2010. We never had summer and the spring was cold and wet. I seem to recall that we never hit 60 degrees until late June or possibly even early July. It was during this time that I had the revelation that it has to get above 58 degrees before I feel like working in my garden, and I suspect that many of you must have felt the same way because you were conspicuously absent from the garden center. When the mercury did finally go above 60 degrees, it turned out to be a respectable summer (at least for growing things, not for wearing shorts and tank tops) and as we moved into the fall it was one of the most memorable fall color seasons in several years.

In the previous year it was the month of November that proved terminal for many of my garden plants and, of course, it was December the two previous years before that. But we managed to make it through not only November but also December without the killer kinds of temperatures we were beginning to think of as "normal."

And that brings us to 2012.

2012: A year of hope and promise

Now I realize that a statement containing the words "hope" and "promise" can sound pretty trite in an election year. We are bombarded with these phrases by countless candidates who frankly are about as full of bull as a 1.5 cubic foot bag of manure. But I have good reason to believe this year is going to be much better, weather-wise.

The change in our weather began back last autumn when the extended fall sunshine continued into November and there was no killer freeze like 2011. December was also drier than usual and again, no killer freeze.

The reason is probably La Nina. If you will remember, the La Nina of 2011 was one of the strongest on record compared to the current La Nina which is fairly weak. So I think it is safe to assume that we will see less extreme weather patterns throughout the rest of winter and a more typical spring.

I should note at this time that while we did get a good dumping of snow in January, the temperatures did not go below the 20's for most of us. What this means is that there is virtually no winter kill on perennials, shrubs and trees outside of some branches breaking from the weight of the snow. Even my plants that were bowed down to the ground have sprung back up to their normal positions.

So I am very optimistic about 2012. Already I am seeing signs of life in my garden that were absent last year at this time. Buds are swelling, bulbs are popping and birds are singing, and I think we all better be ready to get with the program. February is not too early to plant, control weeds, do some pruning, sow some early veggies and kill some slugs.

Here's to a hopeful and promising 2012.

Send me your questions at info@sunnysidenursery.net.