Are you feeling a sense of panic, like you just lost the last 30 days of gardening and are now so far behind that you will never catch up? Not to worry. Mother Nature is also behind schedule so we have the entire month of March to get back on track.

Last week I pontificated on the ramifications of the recent winter storm. We discussed frozen roots on container plants, broken limbs on trees and shrubs, disfigured evergreens, and frozen buds.

In retrospect, that all sounds very depressing, but please don’t despair - I am pretty sure the worst is behind us.

If you are like me, you went to bed last Sunday night with a light dusting of snow on the ground and woke up to eight to ten inches covering virtually everything in the garden.

You might ask: “Is all lost?” Hardly!

Nursery professionals tend to use words that can sometimes be confusing.

The Whistling Gardener thought he would take this opportunity to give you some insight into this jargon so that on your next garden center visit you can be more efficient with your time.

A lot happens behind the scenes in a garden center in the month of January. Most of it isn’t very glamorous and frankly is just plain hard work.

The arrival and planting of bare root roses is one of those activities that is probably the most looked forward to for garden center employees.

As we wind down the final days of the 2018 gardening season I find myself struggling to find something to say that will seem profound and lasting. In light of all the political and worldly trauma, the suffering and hunger and homelessness, talking about the garden seems so trite.

Let’s take a break this week from the endless garden chores I am constantly throwing out at you and look at a few cool gift ideas. This is, after all, the season of giving, so whether you are looking for something for your favorite gardener or just for yourself, here are a few things to think about…