Photo by Lisa Munniksma |
Still in the clutches of Old Man Winter as I edit this issue of
Hobby Farm Home, spring and all its joys—planting flowers and veggies and planning outdoor activities—feel eons away. Even so, I know the bleakness of the cold, grey days is limited as I consider ways to convince my husband to not only add an evening garden to our ever-growing list of to-do’s, but also bump it higher on the priority list. Who doesn’t yearn for a retreat on a warm summer night, and what better time to get it done than spring? Of course, my dream of an evening garden will fall in line behind dog-proofing the garden beds. Our two Houdinis have literally shattered our efforts every year, busting their way in to steal my husband’s tomatoes before they even have a chance to ripen. Oh, and did I mention cleaning up the mess this path of destruction left behind also tops the list? Ugh! If you’re considering adding a garden retreat to your spring check list, read “
Create an Evening Garden” for ideas and inspiration.
The good news: Spring is often considered a time of renewal and, as such, has been assigned the traditional task of spring-cleaning. Like our “Lessons Learned” columnist Cherie Langlois, I dream of a sparkling home that’s received a fresh spring-cleaning—drapes washed and rehung; walls, trim and floors wiped down; cabinets emptied, cleaned and reorganized; windows thrown open to let in fresh air—a crisp breeze whisking away the stagnant remains of winter. All of this is idealized in my head, for sure. When it comes time for actual manual labor, I will not be so nostalgic. If you, too, share this sentiment and could use a good laugh, check out Cherie’s humorous take on this seasonal tradition.
In addition to spring-cleaning, maple season is about to go full tilt. After the tapping, collecting, sugaring and syrup-making are complete, take time to enjoy the spoils of your efforts. Try some of the recipes in this issue’s “Country Fare.” (The
Maple Mousse is highly recommended by the
HFH editorial team, who volunteered to “clean up” after I photographed the fluffy delights.)
Don’t panic, yet. We still have time before this big planning turns to doing. In the meantime, tackle something new, slightly smaller and potentially easier: Make mozzarella cheese at home, gather nesting materials to attract birds to your backyard, or build a seed condo for starting seeds indoors. Afterward, tell us how your project went at
hfh@bowtieinc.com. (And send photos!)
Being stuck indoors isn’t a bad thing: There are tons of projects and planning between these covers’ pages to keep you busy until the weather improves and days lengthen. Happy spring-cleaning, cooking and crafting!