Tis' the Season!

A great time to hunker down and enjoy the pleasures of indoor projects... baking, braising, mulling... mmmmm. But before I take to the great indoors (and before the birds get to all the vibrant winterberry and juniper) I focus my attention on winter's outdoor projects that will take me past the New Year, and well into February.

From the outside my home is a traditional Cape adorned with simple window boxes that change with each season. Winter is truly my favorite time to dress my boxes. Unlike other seasons where I find myself shelling out big bucks for exotic annuals, gourds and more, winter is all about the natural offerings just steps from my front door.


Living on a salt marsh with a tidal river surrounded by a 2 acre beautiful pine forest, I am generously provided with quintessential offerings. I take full advantage while keeping conscious of the environment. Each year I make a mental note of certain areas I clip from, and stay away the following year to encourage growth. If you clip from the same spot year after year chances are one day you will find there is nothing left! Pine, cedar, winterberry, moss and so-on are all slow growers and can easily disappear, so be kind and try not to get too greedy!

Before the temperature plummets I head out with a big bag, clipping sheers and knee high wellies (it gets pretty murky around the marsh and I want to be prepared!) in search of hearty greens for my bare boxes. The best time to do this is right after a windy storm when green pine has fallen and pinecones are everywhere! This year I got a little help from a neighbor who lost a huge pine. I sent my husband over with the chain saw and whalah I had more pine that I knew what to do with!


Make sure you leave dirt in your window boxes as this with anchor and secure your greens. I start with the bigger white pine and fill in with the juniper, princess pine and cedar as I go. The last touch is the winterberry, a brilliant splash of color that is visible from across the yard. I like to keep the boxes uniform and lay out a plan of attack before I go gathering.



Lovely!


I like to have a little something extra by the front door to welcome friends and family. Some years it is a wreath, last year it was a festive posy and this year I dug up an old red pail and filled it with white pine and some gorgeous holly given to me by a friend.


My window boxes are done, a sure sign that winter is here.
Now back to the kitchen!