January has been a busy month for me, full of exciting changes (including a new look for my website and blog.)   And, in addition to my landscape design business, and writing for Horticulture magazine, I’ve also accepted the position of Seminar Manager for the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show.

For the past few months, I’ve been working away lining up some fantastic speakers, (click here to see!)  This year, the show runs through March 16-20 at the San Mateo Event Center.  I’ll be there every day, introducing the speakers, making sure everything runs smoothly, and schmoozing with old and new friends alike.  So if you’re in town, please make sure to visit me at the show!

Another change this year is the weather – isn’t it glorious?  The ground is thoroughly soaked and my poor, parched garden is finally able to quench its thirst.

And while I’ve been happily nesting inside and listening to the rain on the roof, I’m still sneaking out to my garden in between storms.

This weekend I planted bulbs in two containers (after chilling them first in my refrigerator for 8 weeks) – something I try and do every January.

In one container, I have my favorite heirloom narcissus and daffodil varieties from Old House Gardens (including a few that don’t require winter chill) and in the other are tulips that were sent to me by John Scheepers (they’ve been selling bulbs since 1908!)

See the soil scoop resting on the container?  It’s my favorite one ever (click here to read why).

I can’t wait to see their cheery blooms and will make sure to post photos of them once they’re blooming.  If you’d like to read about other year-round bulbs that I use in my designs, click here.

I hope you all are enjoying the new year, and I’d love to hear about any changes happening in your lives and gardens!