3 Ways to Stay Connected to Nature in Winter
Now that the holidays over and we’ve had our first really cold days, I’m finally settling into Winter. Some people are out chasing snow and adventure, but I’d rather be sitting by the fire with a hot drink and cozy socks.
As much as I love a little bit of recharging, I still get antsy to be outside. So if you’re feeling a little cooped up and craving nature, here are a few gentle ways I like to reconnect this time of year.
Tulip bulbs planted last fall will start blooming soon!
Camellia shrubs bloom from winter to early spring
1. A Winter Walk
Winter might be my favorite season for birdwatching. Without leaves on the trees, everything feels more open and easier to see. I love bundling up, grabbing binoculars, and wandering some of our local nature reserves.
Some of my favorite spots are Champoeg State Park in St. Paul, Graham Oaks in Wilsonville, and Miller Woods in McMinnville.
Twisted oak trees really stand out on a moody, foggy December day
Our brightly colored native bluebirds are so easy to spot on bare branches!
The red heads of acorn woodpeckers brighten up a winter day
2. Wander a Nursery for Inspiration
Sometimes the best medicine is just being around plants, even if they’re not growing in your own yard yet. I love visiting nurseries in winter to dream a little and gather ideas (and make my wishlist for spring).
Here’s some photos from a few years ago when I visited Pomarius Nursery in NW Portland in January.
Pomarius does such great displays with pottery and evergreen plants - I would love this in my own garden!
Twisted evergreen topiary looks good all year round!
Brightly colored stems brighten up a winter garden
Out in the Garden Nursery in Molalla has some beautiful displays of winter ferns, hellebores, and more.
I peeked inside their tunnel and felt like I was transported to a jungle!
A mass of ferns at Out in the Garden Nursery in February
Cactus make a beautiful indoor winter display at Out in the Garden Nursery
There are also tons of gorgeous public gardens to visit in winter, such as Rogerson Clematis Garden, Leach Botanical Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden, plus you beat the summer crowds!!
Leach Botanical Garden: the woods at this garden are full of evergreen ferns, mushrooms, moss, and other hidden treasures
Rogerson Clematis Garden: Winter blooming witch hazel is gorgeous and smells delicious
Portland Japanese Garden: nothing better than mossy stones and waterfalls
3. Bring Home Plants for your Winter Garden
Winter gardens have their own kind of magic. Hellebores blooming through the cold, ornamental grasses catching frost on their seed heads, tiny crocus and iris pushing through the soil, pansies holding their color in pots. Out In the Garden Nursery is having their annual sale in February - visit their Happy Hellebore Days event for 50+ varieties of my favorite winter blooming plants!
These snowdrops at the Rogerson Clematis Garden start blooming in January
Can you believe these vibrant colors are from hellebores in February?
I can’t get enough of moody purples and dark ferns - perfect winter colors
What I’ve Been Working On at Big Oak this Winter
While the flower field may look quiet, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes at Big Oak. I’ve been deep in spring prep, starting seeds in my new greenhouse and forcing tulip bulbs for early blooms.
I’m also getting everything ready for the Spring Flower Club and my first event of the season on March 7th at the Truffle Market in Newberg. With luck, I’ll have armfuls of tulips and a few early surprises to share.
The flower beds are all frozen this time of year. Currently working on doubling the size of my flower production field
My new greenhouse is all setup and filling up quickly with seedlings!
In just a few short months I’ll be harvesting flowers again
