{"id":7180,"date":"2017-01-28T14:49:45","date_gmt":"2017-01-28T20:49:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/?p=7180"},"modified":"2017-06-29T22:41:23","modified_gmt":"2017-06-30T03:41:23","slug":"january-southern-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Southern Gardens – January in the South"},"content":{"rendered":"

Life at Spring Meadows | Gardening Living Creating<\/p><\/div>\n

Southern gardens can be a challenge during the winter months! Our weather is unpredictable from November through February. We go from cold to hot and back again! There is no guarantee we will not have ice and snow after days of beautiful weather with temperatures in the 60s and 70s.<\/p>\n

Unpredictable Weather for the Southern Gardens<\/h3>\n

In Alabama, it is not uncommon to\u00a0have warm temperatures one day, then the next day\u00a0see a drop in temperature with\u00a0an occasional\u00a0chance of ice and snow. In the northern counties of Alabama, snow showers are not that uncommon, but in mid\/central Alabama counties, it is rare! Periods of warm temperatures wake the plants and they begin to bud. Then, temperatures\u00a0drop to freezing, putting\u00a0plants and buds at risk. We go to extreme measures to protect our southern gardens from freezing temperatures, hoping they will survive.<\/p>\n

Take a look at our\u00a0 Video<\/a> from January 17, 2013, where\u00a0snow and ice\u00a0shut down our roadways in the area, but by the next afternoon, all roads were clear and temps reached upper 50s! Our gardens were covered in bed sheets to hopefully protect the tender buds!<\/p>\n

And who can ever forget the Storm of the Century, March 12, 1993<\/a>! Freezing rain, snow, ice, tornadoes, and loss of power brought our day to day life to a standstill. This storm, preceded by unseasonably warm weather, caught us by surprise at a time so many fruit trees were budding!<\/p>\n

On Friday, April 3, 1987, I recall\u00a0waking up to a snow-covered landscape, enough to build a snowman and make snow cream!\u00a0 For the first time on record in April, a spring snow storm dropped 6-inches of snow in our area of Alabama! According to a New York Times article <\/a>published on April 4, 1987, this spring snow storm reached as far south as Mobile.<\/p>\n

With all the\u00a0surprises of weather changes for the southern gardens,\u00a0some of the most beautiful flowers still put on a show during these challenging months. Over the last few days, with the warm weather, it looks like spring has sprung! I am wondering if snow is on its way!<\/p>\n

Southern Gardens Waking Up Too Soon!<\/h3>\n

January\u00a0is time to clean the garden beds and prepare the seedlings for planting in just a few short weeks. While on an “inspection” walk through the gardens, I discovered many flowers and shrubs\u00a0budding and blooming early. Even the honeybees,\u00a0knowing\u00a0how quickly things could change,\u00a0are busy collecting nectar from the Flowering Quince.<\/p>\n

\"Flowering

Flowering Quince | JANUARY IN THE SOUTH<\/p><\/div>\n

Both the Saucer and Japanese magnolias, which are so fragrant in the southern garden during springtime, are already bursting with buds and flowers. If this warm weather continues, they will soon put on a show of beautiful pink and purple blooms. And the\u00a0English Dogwood is not holding back either; it has tiny knobs on its branches! In just a few days, it will come alive with beautiful white flowers.<\/p>\n

The daffodil, my favorite flower, is showing its little head of vibrant yellow. Every three years, I divide the daffodils. To stay on schedule, I took the time to dig up and separate the clumps, then replanted to create new beds.<\/p>\n

\"Daffodil

Daffodil Bulbs | JANUARY IN THE SOUTH<\/p><\/div>\n

Other bulb flowers, such as the irises and daylilies, have been peaking above the bed of fallen leaves and straw, and it looks as if they need dividing, too! Happy flowers! Does anyone need a few bulbs?<\/p>\n

Planting Begins in a Few Short Weeks!<\/h3>\n

In the next few weeks, we will plant kale, turnip greens, and broccoli. It is almost time to plant the early sweet peas to enjoy with our garden salads. The garlic bulbs, already showing their green stems, are divided and replanted. It will be a plentiful crop of garlic this year!<\/p>\n

Rosemary, chocolate mint, lemon thyme, fennel, and lavender have flourished during the cold weather and already need pruning. I will harvest\u00a0the cuttings to\u00a0use in the kitchen or\u00a0add to my bath water for a relaxing spa.<\/p>\n

What Does the Southern Garden Offer in the Winter Months?<\/h3>\n

In our southern garden, even this time of the year, I have my camera ready to capture what will soon change. The dried grasses and dried blooms from last year’s hydrangeas create a beautiful display.<\/p>\n

\"Dried

Dried Hydrangea Bloom | JANUARY IN THE SOUTH<\/p><\/div>\n

The buds and blooms, putting on an early show of color, add interest. And, of course, I never take a walk through the gardens without one or all of my furry friends by my side.\u00a0I can never resist taking a snapshot or two as they explore life in the southern garden!<\/p>\n

What is growing or blooming in your gardens during January? What are some of your favorite ideas for winter gardens? Tell us by commenting below! We all learn from one another!<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In preparation for springtime, it is time to clean the flower beds and prepare the seedlings for planting in just a few short weeks. While on an “inspection” walk through the gardens, to my amazement many flowers and shrubs are budding and blooming early. The warm weather is waking them up from their winter nap!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,251,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening","category-january-in-the-south","category-notes"],"yoast_head":"\nSouthern Gardens - January in the South | Life at Spring Meadows<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Southern gardens are a challenge in winter months! Many plants bud early, at risk when temperatures fall. But look at what is blooming! Beautiful!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Southern Gardens - January in the South\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In preparation for springtime, it is time to clean the flower beds and prepare the seedlings for planting in just a few short weeks. While on an "inspection" walk through the gardens, I discovered many flowers and shrubs budding early. The warm weather is waking them up from their winter nap! They are at risk if cold weather comes, but so beautiful during this time of the year!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sandi Herron - Life at Spring Meadows\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-01-28T20:49:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-06-30T03:41:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/january-in-the-south-fb-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@sherronchelsea\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@sherronchelsea\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072\"},\"headline\":\"Southern Gardens – January in the South\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-01-28T20:49:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-06-30T03:41:23+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":854,\"commentCount\":2,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/01\\\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"GARDENING\",\"January in the South\",\"Life Notes\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/\",\"name\":\"Southern Gardens - January in the South | Life at Spring Meadows\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/01\\\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-01-28T20:49:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-06-30T03:41:23+00:00\",\"description\":\"Southern gardens are a challenge in winter months! Many plants bud early, at risk when temperatures fall. But look at what is blooming! Beautiful!\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/01\\\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/01\\\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg\",\"width\":1100,\"height\":401,\"caption\":\"Flowering Quince | JANUARY IN THE SOUTH\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/january-southern-gardens\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Life Notes\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/notes\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"January in the South\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Sandi Herron - Life at Spring Meadows\",\"description\":\"Gardening | Living | Creating\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072\",\"name\":\"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\"},\"description\":\"Thank you for visiting my blog. I love to write, sew, quilt, craft, cook, paint, and always looking for new ideas to make or share. I love to use my camera to capture life and tell a story through pictures. I have a web and graphic design business that keeps me busy, but I love my work and enjoy interacting with my clients as together we see their vision become a reality. More than anything, my greatest passion is serving God in a way that others see Him through me. I don't always do everything just right, but each day I get up, I turn that day over to God, asking Him to help me try to get it right one more time.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sandiherron.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/sandi\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Southern Gardens - January in the South | Life at Spring Meadows","description":"Southern gardens are a challenge in winter months! Many plants bud early, at risk when temperatures fall. But look at what is blooming! Beautiful!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Southern Gardens - January in the South","og_description":"In preparation for springtime, it is time to clean the flower beds and prepare the seedlings for planting in just a few short weeks. While on an \"inspection\" walk through the gardens, I discovered many flowers and shrubs budding early. The warm weather is waking them up from their winter nap! They are at risk if cold weather comes, but so beautiful during this time of the year!","og_url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/","og_site_name":"Sandi Herron - Life at Spring Meadows","article_published_time":"2017-01-28T20:49:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2017-06-30T03:41:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/january-in-the-south-fb-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@sherronchelsea","twitter_site":"@sherronchelsea","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/"},"author":{"name":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072"},"headline":"Southern Gardens – January in the South","datePublished":"2017-01-28T20:49:45+00:00","dateModified":"2017-06-30T03:41:23+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/"},"wordCount":854,"commentCount":2,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg","articleSection":["GARDENING","January in the South","Life Notes"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/","url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/","name":"Southern Gardens - January in the South | Life at Spring Meadows","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg","datePublished":"2017-01-28T20:49:45+00:00","dateModified":"2017-06-30T03:41:23+00:00","description":"Southern gardens are a challenge in winter months! Many plants bud early, at risk when temperatures fall. But look at what is blooming! Beautiful!","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg","width":1100,"height":401,"caption":"Flowering Quince | JANUARY IN THE SOUTH"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/january-southern-gardens\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Life Notes","item":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/category\/notes\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"January in the South"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/","name":"Sandi Herron - Life at Spring Meadows","description":"Gardening | Living | Creating","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9616f353028b098777565594d13d9072","name":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller"},"logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/602ac86d6a530770f682993190c648bb429443f6be0c536e1f2b69276a384d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"description":"Thank you for visiting my blog. I love to write, sew, quilt, craft, cook, paint, and always looking for new ideas to make or share. I love to use my camera to capture life and tell a story through pictures. I have a web and graphic design business that keeps me busy, but I love my work and enjoy interacting with my clients as together we see their vision become a reality. More than anything, my greatest passion is serving God in a way that others see Him through me. I don't always do everything just right, but each day I get up, I turn that day over to God, asking Him to help me try to get it right one more time.","url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/author\/sandi\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/january-in-the-south-FT-17jan24-flowers-gardens-049.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4772,"url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/grazing-off-the-land-kale\/","url_meta":{"origin":7180,"position":0},"title":"Grazing Off the Land","author":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","date":"November 5","format":false,"excerpt":"This morning I cruised through the gardens to check for any late producing vegetables. If you came looking for me, I was on all fours grazing on the beautiful bed of kale that had a growth spurt this week from all the rain!","rel":"","context":"In "Gardening Tutorials"","block_context":{"text":"Gardening Tutorials","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/category\/gardening-tutorials\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Grazing-off-the-land.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Grazing-off-the-land.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Grazing-off-the-land.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Grazing-off-the-land.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1045,"url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/snowing-in-chelsea\/","url_meta":{"origin":7180,"position":1},"title":"Snowing in Chelsea","author":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","date":"January 17","format":false,"excerpt":"Beautiful snow in Chelsea, Alabama - our first snow for 2013 (and maybe our only snow day!)","rel":"","context":"In "Nature"","block_context":{"text":"Nature","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/category\/nature\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3305,"url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/life-is-good-fun-graphic\/","url_meta":{"origin":7180,"position":2},"title":"Life is Good (Fun Graphic)","author":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","date":"February 17","format":false,"excerpt":"Snow is a rare thing for us in the deep south, so waking up to the beautiful white landscape is always a nice change. This was the first for our golden, Callie, and she didn't quite know what to do! Fun to watch as she touched the snow with her\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fun Graphics"","block_context":{"text":"Fun Graphics","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/category\/fun-graphics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Life is Good","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/lifeisgood.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/lifeisgood.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/lifeisgood.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/lifeisgood.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2517,"url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/scarred-tree\/","url_meta":{"origin":7180,"position":3},"title":"A Scarred Tree","author":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","date":"November 9","format":false,"excerpt":"Crooked and scarred from the storm it endured, it is not considered a pretty tree. But when I turn in my driveway, especially during the fall of the year as it showcases its vibrant colors, it reminds me of God\u2019s faithfulness in the storms of our life. And as I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Life Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Life Notes","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/category\/notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Scarred Tree","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/14nov7-005a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/14nov7-005a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/14nov7-005a.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/14nov7-005a.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7654,"url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/caterpillar-named-emily\/","url_meta":{"origin":7180,"position":4},"title":"A Caterpillar in the Garden","author":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","date":"June 24","format":false,"excerpt":"A short video documentation of our first caterpillar for the summemr. Our youngest granddaughter named this special caterpillar Emily. I like her name!","rel":"","context":"In "Birds and Butterflies"","block_context":{"text":"Birds and Butterflies","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/category\/gardening\/birdsandbutterflies\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A Caterpillar Named Emily | Feasting on Fennel","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/black-swallowtail-emily-17june21d-013-fb.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/black-swallowtail-emily-17june21d-013-fb.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/black-swallowtail-emily-17june21d-013-fb.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/black-swallowtail-emily-17june21d-013-fb.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/black-swallowtail-emily-17june21d-013-fb.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15614,"url":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/daffodils-and-hope\/","url_meta":{"origin":7180,"position":5},"title":"Where Daffodils Bloom, So Does Hope","author":"Sandi Herron. Author, Speaker, and Storyteller","date":"February 22","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Hope, like the daffodils, is always ready to return. You just have to believe it will.\" I whispered the words in the silence,...","rel":"","context":"In "Flowers"","block_context":{"text":"Flowers","link":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/category\/gardening\/flowers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Where Daffodils Bloom, So Does Hope","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/the-story-of-flowers.daffodils.ft_-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/the-story-of-flowers.daffodils.ft_-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/the-story-of-flowers.daffodils.ft_-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/the-story-of-flowers.daffodils.ft_-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7180"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7718,"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7180\/revisions\/7718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandiherron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}