When It's Cold Outside...January Sites to See

In "A Year in the Garden" in The Vancouver Sun, Steve Whysall lists January as the month to tidy up the garden, picking up branches brought down by snow or wind.

Maybe. If your garden isn't snow-buried still and doesn't have a bone-chilling wind knifing through it. If you live in Prince George or Abbotsford, chances are good that it's just not that pleasant outisde. This time of year, even Victoria isn't that balmy. So why not cuddle up to your computer and garden virtually instead? It's warmer. Cleaner (if you don't spill your hot cocoa onto your desk). And definitely more fun than picking up branches.

If you're as starved for colour as I am this time of year, you probably want to savour some sites bursting with flowers. If you're not a dahlia fancier now, Wayne Holland will convince you with his site devoted to dahlias in BC at "http://www.mountain-inter.net/~wholland/" You want flowers? Check out the "Firemountain" Dahlia with its 'black' foliage.

Or maybe it's roses for you. The Canadian Rose Society has luscious pictures of Parkland and Explorer roses at "http://www.mirror.org/groups/crs/index.h..." waiting to be drooled over. And you can vote for Canada's top ten favourite roses right now too. This site is one of my favourites because it has excellent lists of roses suitable for particular climate zones (such as zones 2-4).

Speaking of societies, the Orchid Society of Nova Scotia also has a gorgeous site where you can tour their virtual gallery of past shows or admire the native orchid varieties. Go to "http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/Orc..." for a feast of exotics. This will probably get you so excited you'll want to find out about the World Orchid Congress '99 which is being held in Vancouver this year April 22 through May 2. Get all the details at"http://www.hedgerows.com/WOC99/index".

If you're thinking of making some additions to your flower beds this year, you'll definitely want to visit "http://www.gardenguides.com/"so you can browse through their extensive collection of annuals, perennials... and even vegetables! There are flowers galore here and an outstanding Garden Web Index of links that you can search by category. The Tips and Techniques section is also superior; if you're thinking of starting some seeds indoors this month, you can find out how to do it here.

Need inspiration? There's nothing like looking at catalogues to get the blood stirring. At "http://www.icangarden.com/" you'll find online catalogues for seeds, nurseries, tools and anything else you can imagine putting in or using in your yard, as well as articles, horticultural issues, lists of Canadian and International Societies and... These folks claim to be the "Canadian Internet Gardening Resource" and they mean it! You could spend days here! (I have.) Go to the Scavenger Hunt icon first so you know what you're looking for as you stroll from section to section. (Special note: entries for Contest # 11 will only be accepted until February 6. First prize is a $100 gift certificate from the Ontario Seed Company.)

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