As December days go by, we are patiently waiting for snow. As a warm weather transplant, the first snow of the year is always a special day. It just might be later today as it’s now falling on Donner Pass.
The very first year as a Virginia City homeowner, I hadn’t tired of winter snow. I was enjoying all the seasons, which were pronounced and definite. The Central Valley of California has two seasons — burning hot and fog. The skies are usually a dull grey, even on nice spring days. From late May until October, the mercury can hover in the 100’s and then the foggy season begins.
The fog isn’t just a light marine layer of fog, but dense Tule Fog. So dense that when driving in it, cars appear before you have time to hit the brakes. Every year, people die in the fog and feel like they are going to die in the heat.
This——
Or this——
Here on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada, the weather is pretty close to perfect for me. There are four distinct seasons. Spring can be sprinkled with late snow. Summer days are hot but the evenings cool down to a comfortable temperature great for gardening. The cottonwoods and aspens give a brilliant show in the fall. And then, there is winter.
Winter in the desert is nothing to fool with. Black ice can kill you if your taking a curve while hitting it. Almost invisible, it causes many to lose control of their cars. Then, there are multiple snow storms during the season. It’s one of those we’re awaiting. After all, what’s Christmas if its not white???
As for the gardens of Winterpast, I must admit, I haven’t been out to see what’s going on in a while. The rose bushes stand frozen in time. The last blooms fade in the Autumn sun as they were when the frost hit with a magical beauty all their own. Soon, it’ll be time to prune. HHH and I look forward to practicing skills learned this year while taking the Master Gardener course.
It’s time to assess projects for early spring. We need to refresh the decomposed granite walkways. Brickwork around the lawn and flower beds might be a consideration. We need a truckload of new rock to mulch our flowerbeds. (Yes, rock is considered a type of mulch in the desert — so strange this land where we live). Two trees may be removed. Any time one considers taking out a 20-year-old tree, there better be a good reason. Unfortunately, these are sick and not expected to recover. Hard decisions will need to be made.
This year Winterpast will get a facelift with some new paint. And then, the debate about fencing the front yard continues. When sharing the desert with wild mustangs, barriers are important. There’s no point in spending hundreds of dollars on new plants when wild horses show up in the night to eat them. The fencing debate continues.
A soft fresh covering of snow is the most beautiful look for Winterpast. Every day things take on a new and magical look. The inches of snow are measurable on the outdoor table. Last year, the biggest storm dropped 17″, all gone in a week. Snow in the desert is like that.
Wherever you are today, I hope you have clear blue Autumn skies. The winter solstice is just around the corner. Take some time to consider what changes you’d like to make in your yard next year. Fall is a great time to plan for a beautiful spring. It will be here before we know it.