January can seem like a let-down from all the activity of the holidays, but the whole scene can be brightened with cut flowers. You can, of course, just order a big bouquet from a florist, but here are some ideas that will perk up your spirits and be easier on your budget.

October brings us thoughts of turning leaves, pumpkins, and Halloween. For gardeners it brings thoughts of planting bulbs for spring beauty, as they need time to develop strong roots while the soil is still workable.

Late summer gardens can look pretty sorry, but with a little planning and a few great plants, the fall garden can be just as beautiful as those in spring. A nice bonus is that many of the plants used are able to thrive with very little water.

Hot weather rarely brings to mind planting seeds, but by the end of August the weather will begin to cool and it will be a great time to get fall seeds into the ground. It’s easy and fun to grow tasty veggies and hardy annuals and many do wonderfully in the cooler days of autumn.

A garden is an individual thing, reflecting the interests of the gardener who created it. Some are a specialty garden, such as a rose, succulent or conifer garden, but mostly we look to create a balance that incorporates foliage and flower. Some are spectacular. What makes them so?

Fresh cut flowers from the garden are a joy in any room. Too often, though, the lovely flowers we pick fade all too quickly. Conditioning them can extend the cut life of our blossoms considerably.

The scent of roses is universally popular and the bright colors and large flowers make them a welcome addition to any garden. That is, until the care and upkeep of most roses consumes too much time and out they come. To counter this wanton destruction of the world’s most popular flower, breeders are now hybridizing for easy care.

The weather is warming and it’s beginning to feel like spring! The bulbs are up and will soon be in bloom and the trees and shrubs are in bud and will soon leaf out. Outside beckons after cold winter, and it will soon be time to get the garden ready for summer.

Gardens are never static. After looking great for several years, plants can easily become overgrown or invaded by weeds. Look carefully. Some plants, usually the trees and larger shrubs will remain. It is hard for any gardener to take out a tree or shrub but if they were originally planted too closely, or in the wrong place cutting out the weakest will give the rest a chance to attain their full potential. If this is what’s needed, take heart and just do it. Large trees and shrubs can be moved, but that is a chore that is best left to professionals. Careful pruning of the rest will give them light and air. Be sure to leave pruning until dormancy on any shrubs or trees that have leafed out.