Days are dark, the nights long. World news is beyond depressing. What’s a person to do?
A suggestion: Reach for light, in whichever of its many forms work to lighten the mood.
There is light in the eyes of beloved family members and friends, and Christmas lights to dispel the gloom and bring cheer. Immersion in an all-absorbing book can provide temporary escape and lighten the burden of concerns. A flowering plant brightens a room and lifts spirits. The simple act of smiling at people encountered on sidewalks can be surprisingly therapeutic. This is a time to be as nice as possible — to ourselves and to others.
Active time outdoors on useable days is a powerful way to elevate ones’ mood. Bundling up and puttering about the garden can accomplish many tidying-up tasks and inspire with ideas for changes or additions to the landscape and food garden in 2025.
December in the garden. Daylight hours and decent outdoor weather are at a premium this month, but even brief periods in the garden are sure to be beneficial, to our gardens and to our well-being. A few projects to consider:
* Remove any remaining leaves on roses and clean the ground under and around the plants.
* Make plans (I make rough sketches) for positioning next year’s vegetable plantings.
* Check through new print or online catalogues and begin choosing vegetable and flower varieties for your 2025 garden. Assemble seeding pots and trays, labels, and permanent markers.
* Check plantings located under broad roof overhangs, in case they need watering.
* Seed basil, cilantro or chervil thinly in shallow pots or trays to grow at bright windows.
* Dig small pieces of mint and chives roots from the garden for planting in pots for the house.
* Have old floating row covers, tarps, or whatever protective materials available to cover vegetable plantings in case a hard frost is predicted. Remember last January and the extreme cold at mid-month.
Gifts for gardeners. I’m more than a little hesitant this year to launch into my usual early December gift suggestions for gardeners. Too many families are enduring financial pressures. Perhaps this Christmas is a time to keep it simple with small gifts that cost little but still convey warm feelings of esteem and love and also target the recipient’s special interests.
Seed a pot or two with a gardener-cook’s favourite herb(s). Turn greenery, preserves and garden produce into Christmas gifts. This year, I have kiwis and sachets made from the lavender harvest to give.
Local small businesses are feeling the pinch too. Enjoy a stroll through a nearby garden centre amidst holiday decor and customers in festive mood. Many are the small, useful or amusing gifts to be found in these local outlets. Supporting them helps to ensure they’ll be around when we need them.
You will likely find gifts for bird lovers, gadgets for gardening, bits of whimsy to liven the landscape, hand tools, seeds, gloves, plant markers, and colourful little house plants to help brighten the holidays.
GARDEN EVENTS
Abkhazi Garden holiday season. Abkhazi Garden, 1964 Fairfield Rd. in Victoria, is hosting two Festive Weekend Markets on Dec. 14 and15, 21 and 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be festive swags, table centres, culinary wreaths, birdseed teacups, wooden bowls, and trees. Until Dec. 29 the Teahouse is offering a Festive High Tea. Reserve at 778-265-6466. Find menus and other details at abkhaziteahouse.com. Abkhazi Garden is open along with the Teahouse and Gift Shop from Wednesday through Sunday, 11.a.m. to 4 p.m. Last entry to the garden and last reservation for the Teahouse is at 3 p.m. The garden and teahouse will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and from Dec. 30 to Jan. 14.
Mixing it Up 2025. The Victoria Master Gardeners are hosting their biennial Mixing it Up Conference on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. The theme is “Beyond Beauty.” The conference will include five speakers who will share how adding biodiversity creates healthy and beautiful gardens. Topics include urban trees, designing with native plants, citizen science in the garden, and “Mind What You Sow.” For more information on the talks and the speakers, and to register, please go to or . Consider a gift registration for a gardening friend.
