GARDENING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE IN THE NORTHEAST

Winter Wonderland

Winter can feel long and miserable in the Northeast when it is rainy instead of snowy. But every now and then, we can expect some decent snow cover and even frozen lakes to walk on. It is in those times when walking the trails of Rockefeller State Park becomes especially rewarding.
View from Eagle Hill (Rockefeller State Park)
Swan Lake area of the park
Rockwood Hall area of the park
Pocantico River
Pocantico River
The woodland garden in winter requires a special attention to detail.
Leaves remaining on American Beech
Dry Seeds of the Sweet Pepper Bush
Witch Hazel Nuts on the branches
Grasses provide cover in winter
White Aster Seeds for the birds
Animal tracks near rose petals
Joe Pye Weed
Cardinal and Titmouse
Many animals still come for a visit in winter
Raccoon
Hawk
Statue
Squirrel
Turkey
Cardinal
Flock of Red Finches
A fun garden activity in winter, especially if you have kids, is winter sowing native seed that need a cold-wet stratification to germinate. The webpage of Prairie Moon Nursery is a good resource for finding out which seed would benefit from such a process – check their Germination Code. Simply distribute the seed on top of the garden bed between snowstorms (so that the birds don’t find the seed first).