Snow in the Garden. Love it or loathe it?

I don’t think there’s a half-way house when it comes to snow in the garden. You either love it, or you loathe it. I’m definitely in the love camp!

It brings out my inner child – but honestly, that’s never far away!

It’s especially magical when you wake up to it. You know it’s snowed the second you wake up, as the bedroom’s so much brighter, and there’s that strange eerie silence.

I’m transported back in time to Christmas morning. I’m five years old, and just discovered that Father Christmas has been!

I jump out of bed (not my normal style), and whip up the blind! Next I root out all those really warm clothes, the ones we only need once in a blue moon these days. A quick bite to eat (I can’t do anything until I’ve had breakfast), a hot drink, and I’m out in the garden.

It’s magical, like fairies have been in the night and sprinkled their dust everywhere. The garden is perfection, all the untidy bits are hidden away under a white blanket.

The berries and hardy flowers that are out at this time of year, peep through adding a bit of colour to the monochrome scene.

Cat’s in the snow

Its always so funny seeing the cats reaction to it. They meow to go out, I open the door, and they just stand there, as if to say, “you can’t be serious!”. Sooner or later though they take the plunge, shaking each paw as they walk. They don’t usually stay out very long!

Dreaming of the snow

Sadly this winter we’ve only had the tiniest little sprinkling in late November.

This time last year

The last decent covering was a year ago today, the 23rd January 2021. So I thought we’d have a little reminisce.

This time last year was a Saturday, which for me is the perfect day for snow, as most people are off work and school. As it happens, it didn’t make any difference last year. We were back in another national lockdown, due to the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic. Meaning, with the exception of key workers we were all stuck at home again.

So we were all in need of a little fairy dust!

We awoke to snow falling, but it was hardly sticking, and stopped not long after breakfast. So disappointing!

Luckily mid-morning it started again with gusto, with the forecast giving more. Oh it was looking promising!

By late morning I was out there, wandering around my fairyland garden.

The first job was to smash some ice in the pond for the birds to have a drink.

I always feel so sorry for the birds when the weather’s bad. Luckily they’re very well fed around here, with many people putting food out. Unfortunately they still feel the need to fight over the plentiful berries on our Pyracantha hedge.

Clockwise from top left – Thrushes, Redwings, Pied Wagtail & a Bullfinch

Next I needed to take lots of photos just in case it stopped, and started melting. This is not ideal when it’s still snowing, as it keeps getting onto the lens.

Not only does the snow look beautiful, but the freezing conditions are good for the Brussels sprouts and Kale that we grow in the raised beds. It makes them produce sugars stopping them from tasting so bitter.

Finally I just stood there, feeling over joyed to be alive. It snowed on me and around me, eventually driving me inside as I was absolutely frozen, and besides it was time for lunch.