Rain. Ice. Sleet. Slush. Snow. Repeat.
And we're melting, melting. I hear it in my head in the voice of the bad witch of Oz.
March is not a pretty month in Minnesota. I'm back from Savannah just in time to witness the great thaw. How was a kid from Southern California to know she should learn to ice skate, that it would serve her well in the future, for simply getting down the sidewalk? It's slippery out there, be careful!
Many garden bloggers are posting pics of their first daffodils, some in the deep south are already harvesting peas, you might say I'm pea-green with envy. Patience, my dear.
I can't report any gardening going on but I can tell you that a great gardening magazine has gone digital. Yes, more ways to read Northern Gardener....and me.
Find out how to subscribe at digital.northerngardener.org
The March/April 2013 issue finds me full of beans. So what else is new you say? The humble bean has fueled armies and explorers for centuries. Now it's time to think beyond green beans and discover all the beautiful beans, both edible and ornamental that you can grow (as soon as the ground warms up to 55 degrees) in your garden.
Check out my article "So Many Beans", and be prepared to realize I only scratched the surface on this subject. Tasty heirloom beans with colorful names like Jacob's Cattle and Turkey Craw will entice you to try a few and delve deeper into their histories.
And is it too late to talk about mulch? When is the right time to remove it come spring? In the March/April issue my column, "Pushing the Zone", I discuss the warm and toasty insulating properties of mulch and how it can help you extend your growing limits. Well, actually I compare the whole process to having hot flashes, maybe too much information, but it makes sense.
But it's definitely not all about me. This issue talks about "Magical Magnolias", U of MN seed trial results, making a difference in the world with your garden, beautiful container combos, and much more.
The digital magazine will eventually be available only as an added benefit for MSHS (Minnesota State Horticultural Society) members and subscribers, but for the first three issues of 2013 access is open to everyone.
