Soft snow landed on the hillside like powdered sugar, but the lilies beneath the mulch are snug and the white fluff acts as a slow-release blanket.
These quiet hours are perfect for sharpening pruners, organizing the plant tags, and mapping the divisions we hope to tackle next month.
From the cold frame the seedlings send up feathery shoots, and the snow actually keeps the soil from heaving so their roots stay undisturbed.
I keep a thermos of warm tea inside the shed and pace the beds, listening for creaks as the freeze-thaw shifts the stakes; a gentle nudge keeps a stem upright.
There is a hush to the garden right now, so I sketch a route for the volunteer hike that will show guests how Martagons thrive after winter's hush.