The National Weather Service and New York Times have authoritatively harrumphed that the recent winter storm does not in fact have a name, “Nemo” having been chosen for ratings purposes by those for whom weather is mere entertainment.   As gardeners, we take the weather seriously, so BRTG will join the ranks of those who refer only to “the recent winter storm.”

Gardeners do not fear the snow, but the lack of it.  When we see the naked ground in the winter we think only of the freeze line descending  deeper and deeper, of root systems torn apart by the violent cataclysm of freezing and thawing soil, of our precious fluff and top soil fines being blown away by relentless winds from the north-east.    We are glad that our gardens are now snug below their customary winter blankets.

For urban gardeners in New York City, the mildness of this winter has produced some startling results.  A late crop of beets was pulled from the soil in early January,   

and fresh spinach still emerges from the cold frame for a breakfast stir-fry.

And kale, one tough Brassica, keeps giving and giving to the roof-top gardener:

shrugging off the snow with ease:

The sun gets stronger each day, and the gardener, like his plants, can feel the ultraviolet roots of the coming spring taking hold in the turbulent winter atmosphere.