February 21, 2026
Greetings from snowy New Hampshire!
We’re living in a lovely snow globe after another 5” of snow last night. It’s been a fine old-fashioned winter, with plenty of snow for skiing and sledding and winter fun. There’s probably about 2 1/2’ out there - the trees are buried up to the scaffold limbs, and the perennials are covered completely.
It’s been quite cold, but luckily the lowest temps were around 11 below zero, which shouldn’t kill the peach blossoms. We grow “Reliance” peaches, bred for hardiness and fine flavor here in New Hampshire. Peach blossoms are most vulnerable in seasons when freeze and thaw cycles happen early. This year the cold came early and settled in for the whole winter.
Likewise, the strawberries and garlic and perennial flowers and herbs have been well-protected by their snowy blanket and are still quite dormant.
But the days are lengthening quickly and considerably - we’re gaining 3 minutes every day and by month’s end we’ll see 11 hours of sunlight. I’ve heard birdsong in the early morning and owls calling at night. We hear foxes and coyotes regularly in the evenings.
This is the time of year to give houseplants some extra love. They’ll appreciate having dead tissue and leggy growth cut back, and can use a sprinkling of compost and a drink with sea mix to fortify them as they begin to grow again.
The bird feeders have been busy with winter favorites like juncos, chickadees, finches and cardinals visiting regularly. Bluebirds come when I remember to buy mealworms, and sparrows and doves are usually around. We see 4 kinds of woodpeckers nearly every day.
This is a restless time of year for gardeners. I ordered seeds in December and January and they’re all here next to me tempting me. I did start some really slow growing perennials in January [crazy, I know] - delphinium, rudbeckia and Joe Pye weed. They are all up but won’t do much for another month. But unlike annuals, they won’t get leggy waiting for more sun.
I’ll start annuals - tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers in very late March/early April. I’ve learned that it’s best to wait until after the vernal equinox when the sun is really roaring back to work and the greenhouse is easy to keep warm overnight. There are some cool-loving flowers - bachelor buttons, calendula, and sweet peas that I can start in mid March to satisfy my need to work in the greenhouse - naturally high on the aroma of moist soil.
That soul-reviving soil comes from Vermont Compost Company and it’s the best stuff I’ve ever used. In fact this year I’ve ordered a whole pallet which should arrive just in time to plant those early flowers.
In the kitchen we’ve been busy nearly every day putting up preserves, tomatoes rustica, and elderberry syrup. We love making them this time of year because they help warm the house [and free us from boiling away during the hot steamy summer].
We have plenty of everything on hand and it’s a good time of year for mail order because it’s not hot and the post office isn’t overwhelmed.
Because we’re also making pies and pops with our fruit now, we don’t have peach or blueberry preserves. We’re saving those fruits for pies because TripleBerry and PeachBerry Pies are sooo popular.
We plan on opening Tiny Farmstand in late April, and intend to be open daily from 9-6. This will give us a full 4 months break since Christmas Eve. Hopefully that’s enough time to rest our bodies before the next 8 month stretch.
We have been having fun cooking for each other too. Ralph loves cooking and he’s had time to make some wonderful meals. I’ve been baking bread and making pies just for him.
We’ve also made pies and mooncakes for special orders. If you need either, just send me a message. We need a few days notice, but can likely help you out.
Abbey the Joyful loves the snow and isn’t a bit bothered by the cold, even at 13+! Her coat is magnificent [even though I can’t understand it given the abundance of dog hair in the living room.] Her domain is the south porch, and we keep the outside door propped open so she can go out and in as she wishes. There are squirrels to scare away from the bird feeder, and the rabbit who lives under the porch to keep an eye on. She doesn’t hear well anymore, but her senses of smell and telepathy are off the charts. We’re so lucky to be able to spend our lives with such a wonderful, loving being.
My teapot is empty and I’m ready to suit up and check out the new snow. Ralph has been outside on the tractor clearing the driveway and paths for Abbey and me. We’re so lucky he is able to do this work, and that the tractor we bought 25 years ago is still up to the task as well.
Mostly we’re all grateful every day that we’re still here and able to do this work. Thanks also to everyone reading this - you all help make it happen.