Winter Solstice 2009

The winter solstice 2009 occurs at December 21, 2009 at 12:47 PM CST marking the official start of winter in the northern hemisphere. This is the day which will have the shortest hours of sunlight. After this date the nights will gradually begin to grow shorter and the days longer. Don’t get to excited yet. We are only talking a minute or so.

It is important to remember that there is a lot of cold and nasty weather ahead. I always feel better when the solstice has occurred though even though it may just be psychological the thought of the days growing longer give me hope that spring will be here soon.

Here at the urban garden it is time for me to start on my garden calendar for next season. While it is not possible to predict by the day what I will be doing it is more like setting up a time line. Between January 1st and February 15th we will be working on shop organization and equipment repair. This is important and makes it so much easier during the season when you an find exactly what you need. Also by making sure that equipment is ready and working properly you can get started earlier in the spring as days allow you to get out and work.

From Mid February to Mid March time will be spent ordering supplies such as herbicide, fertilizer, and mulch. Also during this time irrigation and shop supplies will be ordered based on list that we made during the winter organization. This is also a great time saver when it comes to getting an early start in the spring. Fertilizer application and herbicide application especially pre-emergent are scheduled for end of March first two weeks of April. Turf repair and over seeding end of April to beginning of May. Knowing when the work is scheduled for allows me to set a time two three weeks ahead of time to place orders for the supplies such as seeds and peat moss. This is a very time and space conserving practice. When you are ready to start the supplies are on hand and you are not waiting for deliveries.

These methods are very helpful for the home gardener as well if you take your lawn mower and yard equipment in in the winter for tuneup and repairs then in the spring while everybody else is waiting for two weeks for their mower yours is ready to go. If you have an idea of the projects you want to tackle in spring you can watch for pre season sales and save money by purchasing materials and supplies before you need them when the stores have the best prices.