The Bruce Company Blog

Have you wondered why red roses are the go-to flower for Valentine’s Day giving? Or why white calla lilies are in so many traditional bridal bouquets? The answers to these questions lie in the language of flowers, subtle meanings given to flowers in order to evoke an emotional response.

There is a whole list of flowering annuals that you can start now from seed in anticipation of summer’s warmer days.  A mix of zinnias, sweet peas and snapdragons would make a splendid cutting garden.

But if you’re itching to do some more active gardening this time of year, early February is an excellent time to do a bit of pruning. Let’s consider fruit trees. Specimens that are old enough to bear fruit require several things for good production.

It’s also time to start begonias, caladiums, and elephant ears. The Garden Center is expecting them to arrive next week. Summer flowering bulbs tend to sprout slowly, especially if your house is cool.

A vegetable garden can be as small as a couple of containers with tomatoes or herbs, or as involved as a half-acre plot of all your favorites.

Given the interest in growing our own food, one resolution that many gardeners are considering is to start a compost pile. Not only will composting reduce your carbon footprint, but using the homegrown stuff will save you money.

Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s a relief to direct our energy inward for a little while and focus on some new projects. Winter is such a great time to make plans for the future. You can gather the courage to put those gardening lessons learned last summer into practice.

Have you ever wondered how some of them got started? The origin of the Christmas tree is well documented. The modern version originated in Germany and spread to the United States in the 1820s with the influx of European immigrants.

Outside, seeds and buds are slumbering. The earth is still. Inside our homes, we’re warm and happy in rooms sparkling with bright lights, views of any impending storms softened by steamy windows. This time of year we gather together to celebrate family and friends. But don’t forget your indoor gardening chores.