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2015 NY winter, a green house disaster, A Writer's Garden Therough the Garden Gates with Emma Janis Lane, Author Emma Janis Lane, cozy Mysteries, Sweet Regency romance
The winter of 2015 in Western NY was one of superlatives, and not in a good way. In November, a surprise snow storm trapped us in our home for five days. Home snow blowers were worthless in the chest high drifts, and it didn’t end there. As the winter progressed, we saw sub-zero temperatures daily; a January thaw never happened. Snow piled up, leaks developed, men climbed on roofs to shovel, and greenhouses collapsed.
That fateful November day my small greenhouse was crammed full of geranium
‘mothers’ and plants which needed protection from our 4/5 agricultural zone (wandering jew, Swedish ivy, assorted house plants). A veritable avalanche cascaded down the new roof of the barn and destroyed the middle of the greenhouse, filling it with snow/ice. A few plants survived, and the roof was repaired within the month, but my eyes tear up when I look at the large patio pot which housed the variegated geranium I had owned for years.
Now, outside the cherry trees are in full manic bloom. My wee greenhouse, strengthened with extra supports, is crammed with seedlings ready to find new homes. Alliums are budding as daffodils/narcissi/tulips fade. My perennial plants are mature now, and I mow too many acres, but my yard seems undeterred by the harsh winter. The many flowering shrubs, suitable to zone 4 and informally planted, are a joy and require little care.
Writer/gardener Emma Janis Lane
Gardener/writer Emma Janis Lane is part owner of a “Herbtique and Plant Nursery” Her favorite thing about gardening is the anticipation of a new (or better) season. When she’s not gardening she’s writing sweet Traditional Regency Romance as Emma Lane, but delights in dipping into a Cozy Romantic Mystery as Janis Lane in between sipping tea with sweet biscuits and an occasional duke. You can learn more about her or ask her gardening questions at www.emmajlane.com
Catherine Castle 
Thanks, Catherine for hosting me. It was a heck of a winter, but summer is almost her. <s
You’re welcome. I’ll bet you’re glad all that snow is gone. I know I would be!
Your gardens are lovely and oh those bouquets. I like your secret gardens outside each window. Enjoy spring and tell yourself winter will never come again.
I can SO relate. I’m an orchid fanatic, and dream of someday building a greenhouse for my orchids (before they take over every naturally-lit space in my house!) And this winter was horrible. What a tragedy to lose a plant you’ve nurtured for so many years.
Thanks for sharing your passion. As a writer, my muses are music and . . . orchids 🙂 So I understand.
Emma, I’m glad you shared the winter pics…reminds me that even w/a fierce wind today, and a far too cold week for May, our weather has still improved a lot! Thanks.
I would love to have a greenhouse! So glad yours is back in working order. Have a lovely summer!
Hi Emma,
How lucky you are! I’ve always wanted a greenhouse. And I understand about the snow. (I live in Western NY also.)
It was a winter to remember in Northern Michigan too! I’m amazed we didn’t have more things winter-killed from the deep, unrelenting frost. But everything seems to be bouncing back.
I have a little portable greenhouse, but it spends its winter sheltered in the barn. It would never have survived the snows this past season it if wasn’t.
How fond we can become of our plants. They bring back many memories and hold our hearts a little bit. Good post!
Thanks everyone. So pleased summer is finally here.
So sorry to read of your greenhouse loss. I hope your new and improved structure won’t be tested so severely next winter!
Thanks! We are a savy group now and are preparing more carefully. Thanks for your good wishes. Our little nursery is in full swing with lovely hanging baskets practically skipping out the doors, petunias w/ verbena, callibracoa with petunias, torena and swedish ivy and sweet potato vine (for shade), etc. It’s like seeing your kids off to school; glad but lonesome for them already. <g
Emma Janis
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