Are you suffering from gardening withdrawal or the winter blahs? If so, here are a few suggestions to help revive your spirits.
1. Visit a Flower Show
Filled with inspirational gardens, cool plants, and gorgeous flowers--many in combinations you might not have thought of before like the garden pictured above--the flower shows are just around the corner. Some of them can be a bit pricey but may be just what you need to get revved up for the gardening season. Check out your local listings.
2. Watch a Gardening DVD
If you prefer to stay home, pop a DVD featuring some beautiful gardens into the DVD player and get comfy. Here are a few DVD suggestions:
Gardens of the World
Gardens Of Northern California's Wine Country
English Cottage and Country Gardens
Chihuly - Gardens & Glass
3. Visit a Museum
Museums are filled with art. Whether it’s the bright colorful flowers of Van Gogh, the muted landscapes of Cezanne, the gardens painted by Monet or the still life paintings by the Dutch and Flemish masters, a museum may be just the ticket to get you back in the swing of gardening.
4. Visit the Nearest Tropical Plant Conservatory
There’s nothing like a stroll through tropical plants and flowers to re-energize! Many of the larger botanic gardens have tropical plant conservatories and some colleges and universities might have smaller greenhouse versions too.
5. Start a new Garden Project
Try something new that you haven’t ever done before. Make a terrarium, grow an orchid or two, or try you hand at Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arrangement.
Photo: Chelsea Flower Show, London, UK