Is it Spring Yet? Or should I just eat more chocolate!

From Grandma's Desk: I woke up this morning to 42 degrees and the patter of rain on the roof. It is Dec. 29 in the mountains of Montana! As the seed catalogs arrive so does the spring weather? I think this weather is via the garden fairies who want to see us plant lots of beautiful flowers in our gardens. Even though it is not yet January the weather makes our brain think spring and before you know it you have sent away for $100 worth of seeds and gardening tools just so you don't miss the first opportunity to eat fresh peas from your garden. Instead of ordering seeds to early I begin to plan my garden so I am not wasting valuable resources on things that will never come to fruit or flower in my zone. Although we live on the shady side of the mountain in winter I know that Spring is only a few months away. It is time to get out my garden journal from last year and begin to remember. I love planning the next year of gardening. Even though it will take many turns and u-turns before the final design is in.I like to dream of the possibilities. My mountain garden has really changed how I garden and when I plant. I have found it is best to spend some time away in early spring so that I don't jump the gun and plant to early then get frustrated with a late frost and loosing my valuable starts. Last year I went to Hawaii in February & came home to begin my garden atarts. Then as March arrived I had herbs and tomatoes that were a bit leggy even though I have lights and a green house it was a bit early. I think this year I will wait until early March or even April to plant seeds indoors. I can't plant tomatoes or peppers outside until late May or June and even then they are in a greenhouse. Last year we had a frost around the 4th of July! So with Christmas behind me and the New Year to look forward to I meditate on my lavender staying warm and viable under a blanket of snow until Spring really is here. I think I will wait to order seeds until I have a plan and a chance to inventory what is left from last years supply. I try not to over buy from the seed catalogs but wait until our local seed sources are available. I feel the seeds I buy from Montana seed producers are best suited for Montana. The local gardeners and seed companies know better than companies in warmer or moister climates. I will seeds that I gathered myself from my garden last year and only buy a few new varieties to test and see if they are hardy enough for my Mountain Garden Home. For now I will plan my Montana Garden of Eden and envision the possibilities. While enjoying a cup of sipping chocolate and other dark chocolate delights. Dream of snorkeling in Hawaii and get out the graph paper for this years design possibilities! "I feel sorry for plants that are obliged to make a struggle for life in uncongenial situations because their owner wishes all things." Elizabeth von Amim. From the book Zen and the art of Gardening.