Just two days before Christmas and we are riding a roller coaster when it comes to the weather. Freezing temps a few days ago, now heavy rain and fifty degrees, and down into the teens tonight. 

This is what brings on cold and flu season. But soon the holidays will be over and the New Year will be here. 

Once the calendar changes to 2023 all eyes start preparing for the upcoming spring. Yes, the warm weather was nice for some, even though it was only because of the rain, but at least we will still have a White Christmas for a change. 

Once the New Year's Eve parties are over and we are firmly planted in January it will be time to start planning for spring 2023. The 2023 seeds are in and the seed trays and starter soil are already out on the shelves, too. 

Planning for the upcoming season is crucial for a successful season, but we have noticed a strange trend the last two springs. 

The first year of Covid 2020, everyone planted gardens and most newbies started their gardens as late as July 4th weekend and still had plenty of season left for a good harvest. But in 2021 and 2022, once June rolled around if someone didn't have their garden planted by then, they just said it was too late and didn't bother planting at all. But the seasons, they are a changing and first frost of fall that used to come in September, rarely shows up even by mid-October. 

Likewise the last frost of Spring which used to be between late April and mid-May, now comes mid to late May. So if you get your garden planted in early May and don't cover it, you maybe planting twice and no one likes that.  

Whether it is the vegetable garden or the flower bed, prior planning prevents poor performance. 

When everything gets crazy in the spring wouldn't it be nice to have a plan to go by, to keep you on track. With the ground frozen and snow flying, all you have is time to think about the season ahead. Do your research now for a better crop this season. 

Learn about some of the newest varieties of vegetables to try. And what was once old is new again, as heirloom varieties are the new chic, as many people want plants that don't contain any GMO material. One of the most popular is the Brandywine Tomato, which is said to have made its debut in the 1886 Burpee seed catalog. 

The Brandywine was available by Johnson & Stokes of Philadelphia in 1889. Its fruit has the beefsteak shape and pinkish flesh, as opposed to the deep red of more common store bought varieties. Even when fully ripe, the tomato can have green shoulders near the stem. 

The Brandywine tomato plant also has potato leaves, an unusual variation on the tomato plant whose leaves are smooth and oval with a pointy tip, instead of jagged and fjord-like the way "normal" tomato plant leaves are. This is just one of many heirloom varieties that have made a comeback in recent years. 

If you are tired of the same old vegetables every year try something new and do your research now. The internet is a great way to find both new and old varieties. 

Many gardening publications also have online versions of their magazines. And there are great local sources of knowledge like the master gardener program at the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Not to mention all the gardening advise you can get by the folks at Sullivan Renaissance. 

So while you’re watching the snow fly this winter, let the thoughts of spring fill your mind. Until then, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa and very special New Year.