Normally in December my garden, any garden around Western New York, would be covered in snow.  All of the foliage would be completely dead from a frost that occurred weeks before.  Here in Western New York if you make it past Halloween with a plant or two spared from frost, you are pretty lucky.  We are less than a fortnight from Christmas and I have not only lush foliage, but blooms, In the December garden. 

The other day we experienced record breaking 71 degree weather.  Normally around this time a day in the fifties is a welcomed reprieve from the cold.  Temperatures in the 60s are unheard of – 71 degrees – quite incredible.  We have more seasonable weather coming and even expect our first, yes first, snow of the season this weekend.

Let’s just take a look around the garden though, shall we?

In the front yard the vinca (that I moved back in May) has a lovely, purple bloom, in the December garden, I might add.

Not too far away a lone primrose has opened a bloom, also in the December garden.  This was an Easter plant bought for decoration that I stuck in the garden on a whim.

Remember when I created a mowing strip around the herb garden?  Quite a few of the herbs are looking good.  I was not shocked by the sage, it is a pretty hearty herb.

The rosemary, mint, oregano and thyme are all looking good.  I harvested sage, rosemary, oregano and thyme on Thanksgiving for our meal and an impromptu arrangement.  I could go out and harvest even more in the December garden, no less!

I even have a nice little bunch of Swiss chard that I will be clipping to add to salad.

Ultimately it is not going to be good for the garden and the plant life, especially the fruit bearing trees.  They need to have their dormant period, as explained here.  I can’t believe that I am saying this, but I am glad that it is going to get colder.  I can look forward to abbreviated winter, I hope.