Garden Anxiety: Should I Be Worried? | Cottage Garden Winter Walkabout 🌿

If you’ve walked outside in January and thought, “Wait… why are my bulbs already popping up?” — you are not alone. In this Wednesday Walkabout at the Cottage on the Hill, I’m answering the big winter question I keep getting asked:

“Should I be worried about this?”



We’ll look at early-emerging tulips, daffodils, narcissus, alliums, muscari, hyacinths, and even surprise seedlings showing up way too soon — and I’ll share what’s a real concern vs. what’s just winter garden “noise.” I’ll also explain why I’m not pruning roses yet (even though the gardening books say you can), and what to do if you forgot a plant outside during a freeze.

Plus… as promised: I’m sharing my high-protein, crunchy trail mix recipe (it’s pretty, satisfying, and totally customizable).

In this episode you’ll learn:

When early tulip growth is normal vs. when to start worrying

Why warm winters can mean more bugs later

How microclimates change everything (north vs. south exposures)

What to do about tender seedlings before a cold snap

Why winter rose pruning can backfire if plants aren’t truly dormant

How I store container tulips to prevent rot

A simple trick to encourage seed germination (and why I don’t panic about volunteers)

Sponsor message: This video includes a sponsored segment with Kitsch (rice protein shampoo + conditioner bars).

📅 Linda Live: Join us February 1 at 2:00 PM CST for our next live community garden chat.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Welcome: “Should I be worried?” winter garden Q&A
00:37 Tulips emerging early (warm January concerns)
02:39 Daffodils/narcissus + alliums (worry vs. no worry)
03:51 Sponsor: Kitsch shampoo & conditioner bars
06:07 Irrigation check + the rain that eased my anxiety
07:55 Roses: why I’m not pruning yet
09:05 Saving an “almost dead” pot (cut back + bring inside)
10:03 Warm-winter surprises: muscari + hyacinth (Trader Joe’s)
11:13 High-protein crunchy trail mix recipe
15:01 Volunteer seedlings (pumpkin/tomato/pepper) + protection tips
16:22 How to use nandina for winter color + “color echo” design
18:08 Viburnum buds + yellowing plant (iron/chlorosis + sprinkler zone)
20:34 Container tulips: garage storage to prevent rot
21:57 Larkspur + gravel top-dressing germination trick
23:50 Wrap-up + Linda Live (Feb 1 @ 2 PM CST)

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