After the Winter Solstice: A Gardener’s Hope Grows with Longer Days

"In January, each day gains about two minutes of daylight.

And in February, we gain about 2.5 minutes of sunlight each day."

January 16, 2020

On this day, we take a moment to recognize that the amount of daylight is getting longer.

Even though we're in the middle of January, and it's so cold, and our gardens are buried under many feet of snow, the days are getting longer.

The good news is that the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is behind us.

It took place on December 21st.

In January, each day gains about two minutes of daylight.

And in February, we gain about 2.5 minutes of sunlight each day.

Here are some thoughts on the lengthening days by the English poet, novelist, and garden designer Vita Sackville-West:

The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer.

Minute by minute, they lengthen out. It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change.

It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise, we realize that we can stay out of doors in a twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour.

The next Winter Solstice will occur in the northern hemisphere on Monday, December 21st, 2020, at 4:02 p.m. Central Standard Time.