Read by Matilda Longbottom

January settles over the garden like a deep, peaceful breath. The beds lie quietly beneath their blanket of snow or Winter mulch, the trees stand bare and unhurried, and even the most enthusiastic perennials retreat into stillness. It’s a month when the garden asks nothing of us except to pause. And yet, in this gentle dormancy, something comforting stirs—a reminder that rest is not an ending but a necessary beginning. Beneath the frozen earth, next season’s promise is already quietly forming, waiting for the light to return. January may look asleep, but it’s simply gathering strength for the bloom-filled days ahead.

At GreenPrints, we are committed to keeping your spirits up and your hearts warm, even when there’s a chill outside. Becky Rupp has us pondering in Are Plants Smart? Apparently, they are—and they’re watching us. I might need to be more careful about what I wear in the garden! What do hairy tomato vines and a TV roomful of kids’ legs have in common? Diana Wells reflects on that and more in Boys, Poinsettias, and Tomatoes. Who among us hasn’t wanted to hurl a poinsettia at some point?

Mike McGrath has us giggling along with The Plant That Was Held Prisoner. Have some of your best successes been accidents? I know mine have! The laughs keep coming with The Confessions of a Serial Seedling Killer by Pat Stone. I’m glad I’ve never been put on trial for the seedlings I’ve killed—I most definitely would have been convicted many times over. I try, but every year, somehow, a few still don’t make it.

We are also focusing on Brussels sprouts, peas, olives, and Italian spices this month. Did you know about all the health benefits of Brussels sprouts? Find out how they fight cancer, cataracts, and more in When Something You Might Hate is Really, Really Good for You by Bill Dugan. Snow peas are a great addition to any meal or plate, and Don Nicholas highlights their benefits in The Peas That Stole the Salad, along with a tasty recipe for Tuscan Snow Pea Salad with Italian Herb Dressing.

Seeds of Wonder by Larry Johnson shares how a love of gardening and storytelling blossomed into a life of joyful connection. My heart resonates with his thoughtful wish: “May we keep the world safe—and a little greener—for the next generation of storytellers and gardeners.” Jaci Hall embraces chaos, wildlife, and wonder in The Unwritten Garden Journal. She sums it up so well with, “The garden, after all, is a world unto itself, too vast and alive to be contained within the pages of any journal.” The Magic of Dandelions by Ginger Strivelli has me longing for Spring. I promise to see dandelions as magical and not just as weeds.

Raised bed gardening offers numerous advantages over traditional ground-level gardening. The elevated soil warms up faster in the Spring, extending your growing season. Our Raised Bed Gardening in America GuideBook covers everything you need to know about building, planning, and maintaining your own raised bed garden—and beyond.

The Garden to Table Journeys: Southern Garden to Table Recipe Collection by Don Nicholas is more than just a compilation of recipes; it’s a generational American experience passed down through the Nicholas family. These recipes embody the essence of Southern cooking with a California twist—a testament to his family’s culinary journey.

So, as January carries us through its slow, reflective days, we can take comfort in the quiet partnership we share with our gardens. Their dormancy invites our own pause, reminding us that growth often begins in stillness. Soon enough, the light will lengthen, the soil will soften, and the first brave shoots will push their way toward Spring. But for now, we can rest alongside the garden—dreaming, planning, and trusting in the quiet magic unfolding beneath the frost. ❖