Whilst I’m talking here about the Winter Solstice and your garden, it’s helpful to clarify that I’m referring to the December Solstice in the Northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere it is, of course, summer time!
There are two ways in which the seasons are defined in the United Kingdom:-
- For Meteorological purposes, winter covers the months of December, January and February. This allows for exact comparison between years and ignores, for example, fluctuations caused by leap years in the Solstice dates.
- However, the Astronomical winter is defined by the equinoxes and solstices. So it runs from December 21 or 22 to March 20 or 21.
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year because the earth’s axis is tilted farthest from the sun. This illustration explains it well.
(Image by Przemyslaw “Blueshade” Idzkiewicz)
This shows the illumination of the Earth by the Sun on the day of Winter Solstice in the Northern hemisphere. The Northern section of the Earth is tilted away from the sun’s rays.
A little bit of more explanation: The earth’s axis is an imaginary line running from North Pole to South Pole. If you imagine our world rotating on its axis, you can understand why the more northerly you are on the planet, the less sunlight you are going to see.
Why does it vary at all? Because the Earth has a slight tilt as it circles the sun. Which means that at different points in its orbit, the tilt puts one pole, and therefore the related hemisphere, closer to the sun. For example, at the December Solstice, the South Pole and Southern hemisphere are tilted towards the sun.
The Winter Solstice and your Garden
Many people, including some gardeners, consider winter to be a slumbering time in the garden for plants as well as for hibernating animals. And indeed for many plants it is a dormant, period. For example, one of the reasons deciduous trees and shrubs shed their leaves during the autumn is the reduced winter light levels. Their leaves could be likened to solar panels. Sunlight is a major component in the process of photosynthesis which is the means by which trees, shrubs and plants gain energy. If you like, we could say that, with less sunlight, deciduous trees decided it wasn’t worth the bother of keeping their leaves. It was easier to have a long restorative sleep instead and be ready to burst into leaf and blossom come the spring.
But the winter solstice and your garden is by no means a fully dormant or dead place. The plants are still alive, living off energy that they stored in their roots during the long summer days. They’ve set their alarm clocks for the spring; the longer days, shorter nights and warmer weather.
Different plants react to day length and temperature in different ways. It largely depends on where on the planet the species evolved. I’ve written about day length and plants n a different blog, so check out the links below to find out more.
Midwinter?
Although we refer to this time as Midwinter, it isn’t really. Winter is just beginning; whichever calendar you use. Neither does the shortest day tend to be the coldest day. That’s because the mass of the Earth and oceans absorbs heat and then slowly releases it into the atmosphere. Generally speaking, the Northern hemisphere’s coldest days occur in late January or early February.
“When the days lengthen the cold strengthens.”
Over the winter there’s plenty going on in the soil. This is arguably the most important element of the garden as soil feeds and supports all of your plants. Even at midwinter, the soil thrives with living, breathing, developing microbes, some of which can stand freezing temperatures and a thick covering of snow.
There’s been research which suggests that the effect of snow on the soil micro-organisms can effect the storage of nitrogen within the soil. The stored nitrogen is necessary for plants to get a good start to their spring growth. It is the major nutrient required for vegetative, or leafy growth.
However, earthworms, also vital for good soil, are not so active. Some species burrow deeper into the soil and hibernate for some of the winter. Some lay eggs which are better protected than adults against very low temperatures. But there will be some worm activity on many winter days.
You, the Gardener, the Winter Solstice and your Garden
Yes, this is a time to keep warm and protect plants from the harder cold still to come. But there is a positive, not only is there activity below the soil level and in the evergreen trees, but there are flowers and shrubs that thrive in winter. I’ve suggested some in the blog links below, but one of my favourites has to be Sarcococca. From a distance, it looks like ‘just another evergreen shrub’, then, as you get closer, you find yourself looking round wondering where that divine scent is coming from.
Whether you like looking for the green spears of snowdrops and daffodils as you head towards the potting shed. Or you prefer to be cosy with a cuppa, making lists of seeds, this quote rings true.
and finally
However you enjoy this year’s winter solstice and your garden, if Plews can help you with anything, please do get in touch. For example –
For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below. You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.
Feeling nosey? You can have a peek at the progress of my garden renovation, Spitfires and Slow Worms, on Instagram and Facebook
Our Garden Consultancy & Advice Visits may help with some of your issues. Or does your planting need a rethink? Do you have a birthday coming up? Plews bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden make a wonderful and practical gift. You could learn how to grow an orchard of citrus fruits in your conservatory! We help you with both gardening basics and more ‘expert tasks’, depending on what you need. Have a read through this pdf download for info.
And if you’d get to see my garden in person, you could come to a Plews Gardening Workshops Click the link for more info and how to book through Eventbrite. Follow for updates on topics and dates on Plews website, Instagram, Eventbrite, Facebook
Plus get your local garden club, allotment, WI, U3A or other group to ask me along to give a talk (and bring plants 😉)
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Christmas and Yule blogs
Why are Christmas Trees like Cut Flowers?
Planting Design Ideas
Scented Shrubs for Christmas Morning
10 Unusual Winter Flowering Shrubs
Growing Mistletoe for Christmas and for Wildlife
Could You Grow Your Own Christmas Pudding?
Gardening Tips
Winter Gardening Tips for Plants
Earthworm – Nature’s Plough and Soil Hero
Autumn Equinox, Harvest Festivals and Your Garden (day length)
Your Garden at the Winter Solstice
