Less Noise, More Green: Buds and new growth in the January garden

Monday, January 26, 2015

Buds and new growth in the January garden

Rhododendron buds
Rhododendron buds
I was in the garden a few days ago, inspecting the Swiss chard and kale for any signs of life, when I noticed something that made me very happy - signs of perennial new growth! Buds in January are little promises of things to come and a most welcome discovery.


Wolf Eyes Kousa Dogwood buds
'Wolf Eyes' Kousa Dogwood Buds. I was very worried this tree was dead. It is getting too much sun on summer afternoons and suffered severe leaf burn last year.

The weather forecasters are saying an "historic storm" is about to move through Rhode Island, dumping up to 30 inches of snow. Ugh, but we really can't complain. Last year, we had a very long, cold and snowy winter which seemed like it would never end. This is the first storm of the year and we turn the page into February at the end of the week. All the more reason to take pleasure in these first signs of an early spring!

Blueberry buds
Northlands Blueberry bush buds

Jersey blueberry buds
Jersey Blueberry bush buds

Black Lace Elderberry Bud
Black Lace Elderberry

Black Lace Elderberry Buds
These Elderberry bushes are covered in buds but I will have to prune them back in the spring to encourage more bushy growth.


Peppermint Swiss Chard


Even the Swiss chard and kale have some new shoots after the freezing temperatures of the last week and look at the Brussels sprouts!

Brussels Sprouts

We'll see what's left of my January buds once the storm has moved through!

Sue



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