“The bumblebee consults his blossoms and the gardener his catalogs, which blossom extravagantly at this season, luring him with their four-color fantasies of bloom and abundance.” — Michael Pollan
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This week is brought to you by the color gray.
January gray.
As I hike the prairie this week, I find myself humming “California Dreamin'”; —All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray… .
Gray is trendy. Pantone made “Ultimate Gray” one of its two “Colors of the Year” for 2021.
Even on a blue-sky prairie hike, the gray clouds aren’t far away.
Pretty or not, all this gray is dampening my spirits. The seed suppliers know how those of us who love the natural world feel in January. And they are ready to supply the antidote.
Every day—or so it seems—a new seed catalog lands in my mailbox. Within its pages, anything seems achievable. After thumbing through Pinetree or Park or Prairie Moon Nursery, when I look at the backyard, I don’t see reality anymore…
… I see possibilities. This year, my raised vegetable beds, now buried under snow and ice, will overflow with beautiful produce. Spinach that doesn’t bolt. Kale without holes shot-gunned into it from the ravages of the cabbage white butterflies. Squirrels will leave my tomatoes alone. No forlorn scarlet globes pulled off the vine and tossed aside after a single bite. I linger over the catalog pages, circle plant names, make lists, and dream.
As for my prairie patch! I have so many plans.
This will be the year I find a place in my yard where prairie smoke thrives.
Big bluestem, which has mysteriously disappeared over the years from my yard, will be seeded again and silhouette itself against the sky.
The unpredictable cardinal flowers will show up in numbers unimaginable.
I see the spent pods of my butterfly weed…
…and remember the half dozen expensive plants that were tried—and died—in various places in the yard until I found its happy place.
Now it thrives. The monarch caterpillars show up by the dozens to munch on its leaves, just as I had hoped.
As I walk the prairie trails, admiring the tallgrass in its winter garb, I plan the renovation of my backyard garden and prairie patch this spring. I dream big. I dream impractical.
And why not? Any dream seems possible during the first weeks of January.
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The opening quote is by Michael Pollan (1955) from his first book, Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education. Pollan is perhaps best known for The Omnivore’s Dilemma and Botany of Desire but his debut is still my favorite. I read it every year.
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Join Cindy in 2021 for an online class! See http://www.cindycrosby.com for a complete list of virtual offerings. All classes and programs with Cindy this winter and spring are offered online only. Join me from your computer anywhere in the world.
Begins This Week! January 14-February 4 (Four Thursdays) 6:30-8:30 pm CST Nature Writing II Online. Deepen your connection to nature and your writing skills in this intermediate online workshop from The Morton Arboretum. This interactive class is the next step for those who’ve completed the Nature Writing Workshop (N095), or for those with some foundational writing experience looking to further their expertise within a supportive community of fellow nature writers. Over the course of four live, online sessions, your instructor will present readings, lessons, writing assignments, and sharing opportunities. You’ll have the chance to hear a variety of voices, styles, and techniques as you continue to develop your own unique style. Work on assignments between classes and share your work with classmates for constructive critiques that will strengthen your skill as a writer. Ask your questions, take risks, and explore in this fun and supportive, small-group environment. Register here.
February 24, 7-8:30 CST: The Prairie in Art and Literature Online. The tallgrass prairie is usually thought of for its diverse community of plants, animals, and insects. Yet, it is also an inspiration for a creative community! In this interactive online talk, natural history author and prairie steward Cindy Crosby will explore historical and contemporary writers and artists, musicians, and other creatives working in the prairie genre: from Neil Young to Willa Cather to graphic comic artists , quilters, and jewelers expressing the prairie through their work. See the prairie in a new light! Come away inspired to appreciate and express your love of the tallgrass as you enjoy learning about this prairie “community.” Offered by The Morton Arboretum: Register here.
Tuesdays in the Tallgrass 
Ever since the new Prairie Moon catalog landed here, I’ve been drooling over that cover image of prairie smoke. I’m going to try it in my yard this year too. This is going to be my garden planning week!
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Kim! We are indeed kindred spirits. You and I will have to compare notes on prairie smoke this summer! Folks if you haven’t checked out “Nature is My Therapy,” Kim’s blog, do so pronto — she’s amazing! — Cindy 🙂
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I’m planning, too! The sunshine & the melting ice today give me hope. Springtime & planting can’t arrive quickly enough!!
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Cathy, it is so fun to think so many of us are planning our gardens and dreaming of spring. What a wonderful way to spend a snowy January day! Happy dreaming! And thank you for reading and dropping me a note.– Cindy 🙂
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Amen! What do people who do not garden do to lift their spirits in January? Seed catalogs are truly the best tonic!
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Paula, I wonder too! Gardening is such a spirit-lifter! So are seed catalogs… and prairie hikes. Happy hiking and planning and dreaming! Thank you for reading, and for taking a moment to write. Cindy 🙂
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If you want to grow Geum triflorum, try making a garden that approximates its dolomite prairie or dolomite gravel prairie habitat. A crevice garden made from limestone slabs should work well.
I am surprised you have trouble growing Andropogon gerardii. This species has spread on its own to a native plant garden I maintain from nearby restoration areas. Every year I cut back this grass to ground level at flowering time in this native plant garden so it does dominate.
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I know what you mean about big bluestem, James — I can’t imagine how I lost mine! I’m going to double down this summer and buy some plants, I think, as well as seeding it in. I do have a very wet yard, and I’ve lost some plants (like prairie smoke) because of it. I like your idea of the limestone slabs — that’s an awesome tip. Thank you! And thanks for reading — and for taking a moment to help everyone out there trying to grow Geum triflorum — much appreciated! Cindy 🙂
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