It’s midwinter and the crisp air, frosty mornings are inspiring to wrap up warm and venture out for a walk. I have my coffee mug, scarf, coat and boots on, and I’m off on a woodland walk. The snowdrops are out and so are the hellebores.
It’s that time of the year when watching the sunrise and looking forward to the days ahead can get exciting and I can already see its getting a small bit brighter in the morning which is amazing! It’s too easy to be tucked indoors when it’s cold .. busy with work and just general life. I like to cut that by venturing out before the day begins. Not that of a big early starter but this is definitely giving a boost before I turn on the laptop The frost and snow that we had earlier last week was beautiful though but I am ready for brighter mornings and happy to st
ep into the real spring. I have few things that I normally do in the month of January and into February. A lot of creative ideas flowing through already. Listing some of them here..Hope you enjoy and can do them yourselves too.
Gardening
Planting bulbs indoors and outdoors is an integral part of both creativity and breaking those dull days in winter. Its rather exciting when you’re patiently waiting to see the blooms. I have narcissus bridal crown ready to bloom in our living room. Not only do the narcissus look beautiful in the living space but also the fragrance can fill the room for the weeks it’s in bloom. I planted some tulips and muscaris in pots outside and they are sure to give a beautiful display once we hit spring. The joy of gardening is like no other
Winter gardening may seem like a quiet affair, but beneath the frosty ground lies the promise of vibrant blooms and abundant greenery. It’s a time for preparation, patience, and planting dreams that will awaken with spring.
Planting Bulbs for Spring Joy
If you didn’t get to plant tulips, daffodils, or crocuses in autumn, don’t fret—if the ground isn’t frozen, you can still sneak in those bulbs! Focus on layering them in pots for a "lasagne planting" effect: tulips deep at the bottom, daffodils in the middle, and crocuses near the top. By spring, you’ll have a cascading display of cheerful blooms.
Tend to Hellebores and Snowdrops
Hellebores and snowdrops are winter’s humble and quiet miracles. Ensure their beds are mulched for protection and enjoy their delicate blooms as they brave the cold.
Pruning and Planning
January and February are perfect for pruning fruit trees and shrubs while they’re dormant. Clean up beds, assess your garden layout, and plan your seed orders in the greenhouse or by the window sill for the coming year.
Small architectural displays
Planting bulbs indoors and outdoors is an integral part of my winter. The dull days don’t feel dull anymore when you’re patiently waiting to see the blooms in the garden. I am force blooming narcissus bridal crown and they are ready to bloom in my living room. Not only do the flowers look beautiful in the living space but also the fragrance can fill the room for the weeks it’s in bloom. Why not bring spring inside early! You can do this with hyacinths, tulips, or amaryllis bulbs.
Winter gardening isn’t about instant gratification—it’s about cultivating patience, hope, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that new beginnings are just around the corner.
Essential mid-winter cooking
Mid -Winter cooking is an embrace of warmth, comfort, and simplicity—a way to wrap yourself in cosiness with every spoonful. Soups, in particular, are the ultimate winter companions, filling your home with inviting aromas and your heart with nourishment. Whether you’re curling up with a book, hosting friends and family, or simply savouring the stillness of the season, these three soup recipes will carry you through mid-winter days with effortless charm.
Leek & Potato Soup
- Sauté 2 sliced leeks and 2 large potatoes, 1 small red onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in butter until soft.
- Add 4 cups of vegetable stock cover and cook for further 5 min.
- Simmer until tender, then blend until smooth. Swirl in cream and season with salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread.
Chicken & Vegetable Soup
The ultimate cold-weather cure-all.
- In a large pot, 50 gm of butter, 4 pods of crushed garlic, 8-10 peppercorn, sauté 1 diced onion, 2 celery stalks, and 2 carrots.
- Add 800gms of chicken with bone e.g. chicken thighs (slice the chicken from the bone and add the bone and meat), a bay leaf, water to cook.
- Slow cook for an hour or use a slow cooker over several hours.
- You can add coconut milk, crushed lemon grass and kafir lime leaves with a squeeze of lime and chopped coriander leaves with the stem for a Thai twist.
- Serve with rice or noodles or crusty bread.
Tomato & Red Lentil Soup
A hearty, plant-powered option for busy days.
- Sauté 1 chopped onion, 2-3 garlic cloves, and 1 tsp cumin in olive oil.
- Stir in 1 cup washed red lentils, 2 diced tomatoes, and 4 cups vegetable stock.
- Simmer for 25 minutes, then blend for a silky texture. Top with a drizzle of chili oil for a warming kick.
Winter cooking is less about perfection and more about comfort. These soups are easy to make but full of love — a reminder that the simplest things can bring the greatest joy.
Hope you can enjoy these and let me know how you get on!
Maria. x