4 Cures for Cabin Fever

This morning I woke up to another inch of snow that had fallen over night.  The temperatures this week have again fallen below zero.  I am tired of hearing complaints of the winter and the cold, I like the snow, but at the same time I also find myself longing for the sunny warmer weather like those complainers around me.  The seed catalogs aren’t taking me away like they usually do, dreaming of planting and tending my veggie garden.  It’s almost time to start seeds so I have that to look forward to.  I want to dream about the warmer months and feel as if I am really there.  I must have a bad case of cabin fever. In my search for a cure, I found out that the following 4 things helped.  Before you read on, I must let you know, I make no claim that they will help you.  I am not a doctor, I am an Urban Farmscaper.

1:         Read about gardening .  Hot off the press, pick up a copy of Niki Jabbour’s latest book, “Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden”.

Niki Jabbour, author of the best-selling “The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener”, has collected 73 plans from gardeners including Barbara Pleasant, Amy Stewart, Renee’s Garden, Joe Lamp’l, and yours truly.  I am excited to be a contributor to this amazing book on food gardens with so many wonderful gardening experts!  Each plan is illustrated and includes a small story about the design and a plant list, followed by a profile of each contributor.  Besides an Urban Farmscape, there are gardens that supply your favorite cocktail ingredients, one for your balcony, one that encourages pollinators, one that grows 24 kinds of chili peppers and more.  There are several ideas that you will be able to incorporate into your Urban Farmscape.  Seriously, order this book from Amazon for some edible food garden inspiration,
Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden  or if you like, you can purchase it from me in person.

While waiting for the book to arrive, you could…..

2:         Watch gardening shows, especially my favorite “Growing a Greener World” with host Joe Lamp’l on your local PBS channel. In its fourth season, this program will take you away from your winter slump into the garden growing fresh veggies with Joe then to the kitchen to learn how to prepare and cook your fresh harvest with Chef Nathan.   Each episode includes bits on food preservation and DIY projects too.  Don’t have a television?  You can also watch it online at http://www.growingagreenerworld.com/

Here is a link to one of my favorites “Greenhouse Bus”.  Now this is inspirational!  Anyone I know at CMU up for a project?

http://www.growingagreenerworld.com/mobile-urban-farm/

In between episodes of “Growing a Greener World”, and while waiting for your copy of “Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden” you can enjoy this third thing….

3:         Attend one of the upcoming garden shows in your area.  You will feel like you have stepped out of winter and into summer when you explore landscapes and attend gardening seminars. This upcoming weekend will be two good ones in the Great Lakes Region:

The Chicago Flower and Garden Show   http://www.chicagoflower.com/

The Lansing Home and Garden Show  http://showspan.com/LHG/

After you visit a garden show,  in between episodes of “Growing a Greener World”, and while waiting for your copy of “Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden” here’s a fourth….

4.       Look at photos of plants wherever you can find them, on the internet or from your photo collection. Science has proven that even looking at photographs of plants and nature will provide some therapeutic benefits.  I’m sure this will help alleviate any symptoms of “cabin fever” right?  I don’t think that I need science to prove it to you, so here are a few photographs from My Urban Farmscape to get you started and on your way through these final days of winter.

Tomatoes at My Urban Farmscape

Mache under small hoophouse at My Urban Farmscape

Seedlings under grow lights at My Urban Farmscape

My Urban Farmscape tunnel of beets

Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’
photo courtesy AAS

My Urban Farmscape Sunflowers

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Tags: Cabin Fever, Garden Shows, Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden, Growing a Greener World, Niki Jabbour