By P.L. Stiles

Rowan Public Library

Looking out on a dismal winter landscape, ever wonder “Why winter!?” With barren trees, snowy gray skies and icy winds, winter seems the most inhospitable season of them all.

Winter, though, plays an important role in the life cycle of plants, trees, forests and ecosystems. Fallen leaves and decaying matter replenish nutrients in soil. Snows and rains scatter and bury seeds. The cold offers energetic respite for trees and provides a killing season for insects and invasive species. Winter provides the land with resources it needs to thrive, season upon season.

So it seems surprising that many plants thrive during the winter. Bulbs, from tulips to garlic, require weeks of cold weather at 40 degrees or colder. Some seeds require scarification, a process of freezing and thawing that cracks a hard seed shell, in order to grow. These include morning glory, moonflower and nasturtiums.

Some seeds require stratification in order to grow, a process of warming and cooling that happens when temperatures change as winter becomes spring. Those seeds include many butterfly habitat plants such as milkweed, butterfly weed, day lilies and apples.

For gardeners, having a winter garden can be just as joyful as a summer garden. Cold weather can make root vegetables sweeter; many greens grow better in colder weather. Winter crops are all about leaves, stems and roots which grow slowly in cool weather. Greens such as arugula, kale, and pak choi (Chinese cabbage) all grow better in cool to cold weather. Fresh arugula and kale make winter salads tasty as well as nutritious. Making a hot soup with garlic, pak choi and sweet carrots fresh from the garden warms any wintery day.

In January, the South Regional Library will start hosting a monthly gardening club, “Gardening Party Saturdays” where gardening, plant and pollinator enthusiasts can gather and swap plant and seeds, trade gardening tips and explore new gardening topics. The first meeting on Saturday, Jan. 5, at
11 a.m., and will feature a seed swap, so bring seeds you wish to share (and whatever information you may have about them) and take home seeds of new varieties.

Garden planning will be the topic, and dreaming is free. At Garden Party Saturdays, new and experienced gardeners can learn more about getting soil tests, putting together a garden no matter the space, growing for your culinary interests, composting, vermiculture and more.

If you just gotta play in the dirt, despite the January chill, join with other like-minded folk and plan to make gardening part of your life no matter the season.

Microsoft Word Basics: Headquarters, Jan. 8, 6-7 p.m. This one-hour session is dedicated to showing individuals the basics of Microsoft Word and the editing tools it offers and is appropriate for all ages and experience levels. It will meet in the computer lab on the second floor. For more details, call 704-216-8242.

Lunch at the Library: East, Jan. 11, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a clean, Wi-Fi-accessible, peaceful place to enjoy your lunch. The East Branch meeting room will be open. Lunch not provided, but tables, chairs and ambiance supplied. While in the library, check out upcoming programs and free resources. For more details, call 704-216-7840.

Weekly children’s storytimes  resumes this week. Contact your nearest branch or visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.

STEAM into Adventure: Optical illusions, headquarters, Jan. 12, 11 a.m. Learn how to create your own optical illusions. This science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics program is geared for ages 6 to 11. For more details, call 704-216-8234.

Random Fandom: Pirates vs. Ninjas, Jan. 8, 4-5:30 p.m., headquarters; Jan. 9, 4-5:30 p.m., South; Jan. 10, 4-5 p.m., East. It’s time to settle the question: which is better, pirates or ninjas? Participating teens choose a side and complete different missions to determine a winner.

Chapter Chats: East, Jan. 8, 5:15-6 p.m. Weekly book club for teens 14-17, intended primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, though all are welcome. For more details, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.

Salsa, Chips, & Salsa: Headquarters, Jan. 12, 3-4 p.m. Receive professional dance instruction from Salisbury’s Spotlight Dance Company and snack on chips & salsa provided by Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill. This program will be held in Stanback Auditorium. Space is limited. To register, call Abby at 704-216-8248 or email info@rowancountync.gov.

Displays: Headquarters, West Rowan High School student art from art class and ‘Stars’ by Salisbury Symphony; East, dolls by Patricia Hollifield; South, South Rowan High School art class artwork.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.