There are lots of garden related things to do over the winter...!
I call it "winter gardening" 1) Order Seed Catalogs before they all run out! 2) Do your research for things you're interested in, for instance, if you're into vegetables, cozy up with a cup of tea and catch up on the vegetable forum threads. 3) Consider doing some Winter Sowing which starts December 21st, winter solstice. (Check out the forum here at GardenWeb). 4) Create a garden planning calendar for next year. 5) Check out local garden related classes and organizations. Construction has already begun for the third botanical center in the state of Missouri and it's right here in Springfield. The organization the Friends of the Garden is a wonderful group of gardeners that has already raised the 4.3 million dollars to get it built. They are looking for people to participate in the creation of the several dozen gardens for the botanical center. You don't have to be a plant expert, you just have to be willing to help and hang out with other gardeners. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn and be a part of your local garden offerings. 6) Read the Friends of the Garden Blog. By far the most comprehensive source for all things garden related in the Southwest Missouri region. 7) Take classes, winter is the perfect time to increase your knowledge indoors when you don't have to be out in the garden: Greene County Master Gardener Classes will begin in January 2010
They will be held in the evenings on Tuesday and Thursday beginning the end of January through the beginning of March 2010. If you're interested and would like to be added to the list for information, please call Nancy at the extension office at 417.862. 9284. To learn more about upcoming Master Gardener classes in Taney, Stone and Christian counties, as well as other counties in southwest Missouri, simply call (417) 357. 6812 8) Additional garden related programs being offered for 2010, many are free! January 16, 2010: Gardening Inside and Out St Johns Cancer Center January 30, 2010: Creative Kitchen Garden Mid-Town Library February 20, 2010: Well Fed Neighbor Urban Gardening Mid Town Library March 1 April 12, 2010: Mo Gardens St Johns Cancer Center, Monday evenings 6-9pm March 20, 2010: Veggies From Start to Storage, or Beginning Vegetable Gardening St. Johns Cancer Center March 20, 2010: Home Herb Gardening Mid-Town Library August 21, 2010: Fall Into Gardening St Johns Cancer Center October 16, 2010: Going Green in the Garden St Johns Cancer Center 3rd Thursday of each month, starting in January, there will be gardening classes at the Rutledge Wilson Farm in the evening. Childrens classes will be offered during the summer months. For more details and to register for classes call:
MU Extension 417-862-9284 9) Catch up on shows like documentaries, garden related programs like The Gardener's Diary, The Victory Garden, and specials, many of which you can view online: BOTANY OF DESIRE is a documentary which tells the utterly original story of everyday plants and the way they have domesticated humankind. An interpretation of the relationship between plants and people. This two-hour documentary explores plant evolution and takes viewers from the potato fields of Peru and Idaho, the apple forests of Kazakhstan, and the tulip markets of Amsterdam. View online in it's entirety: here This is another related program by the same presenter on LINK TV (a cable access channel) which is timely: Deep Agriculture
Traditional methods of agriculture in most developed nations have long ignored environmental concerns. Factors such as soil erosion, water shortage and the impact of chemicals on bio-systems have been overlooked in favour of massive crop yields and cheaper food. But what impact does this have on our health and our environment? View online in it's entirety: here | 
