A Winter’s Day in Our Garden Shed

Today is a cold, rainy day with a mixture of snow and sleet. The gardens are too wet to work in, so this is a perfect day for all of us to work on indoor projects.

All seven of us are gathered up in a circle around our woodburning stove to absorb as much heat as possible. This is one of those cold Winter days that when seated by the stove you are warm in front, but chilled from behind.

I am recording Blackberry Farm-related stories in one of my many black moleskin books, while others are working on our remaining seeds that are in need of being shelled out. There are several buckets of marigold seed pods that require being shelled out, and a couple of baskets of dried bean and butterbeans remain to be shelled.

A team member is working on plans for new additions to the Garden when Spring arrives. One of us is always on alert to add wood to the stove as needed. On a number of days in times past, we have had pots of soup on the stove along with a cast iron skillet of cornbread, a warming addition to bring good cheer to a cold Winter’s day.

This is also a good day to reflect on last year’s gardens and to plan for on Spring, Summer and Fall gardens. For me personally, some of my best inspirations come to me on cold, rainy days in our Garden Shed.

– John Coykendall, Blackberry Farm Master Gardener