The Winter Blues...and Greens and Yellows and.....

By Donnetta Wilhelm, Colorado Master Gardener, Arapahoe County

Psychology Today reports that moods are affected by what is absorbed through the five senses. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell are processed both neurobiologically and emotionally. Those who are prone to the winter blue moods or the more serious seasonal affective disorder (SAD), take heart. During the winter months, Colorado is a wonderful place to get outside. Take a daily ‘light break’ to visit the landscape and elevate your mood by pleasing the five senses to help chase away those winter blues. 

 SIGHT

Arctic Sun Dogwood
photo credit: pridescorner

Winter doesn’t have to be bland. Admire the colors and shapes that stand out. Arctic Sun Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera 'Cato') has stunning red, orange, and yellow branching while Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') with twisted growth habit is a beautiful sight in the winter landscape. Peking Lilac (Syringa pekinensis) shows off exfoliated reddish-brown bark, and don’t forget the weeping evergreens that accent the landscape with graceful beauty.

SOUND

Crimson Spire Oak
photo credit: midpark

At first listen, the sounds of winter seem boring. But step outside and hear the welcome sound of crunching snow underfoot.  Listen closely to the rustling plumes of ornamental grasses.  Breezes whisper through the foliage of marcescent tress like oak, beech and hornbeam.  Crimson Spire Oak (Quercus robur x Q. alba 'Crimschmidt') retains it leaves until spring.  Sounds can also be heard coming from evergreen and deciduous shrubs where birds flutter about in search of berries and seeds. 

 TOUCH

Mountain mahogany seeds
photo credit: plants of the southwest

Feel the crunch of dried seed heads on perennials, the softness of fleshy succulent leaves, or the rough scales of pinecones. Touch a variety of tree and shrub bark textures like the warty bark on Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), the shredding bark on Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis), and the flaky bark of Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria). Who can resist the feel of the soft needles of evergreens like Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis), White Fir (Abies concolor) or Yews (Taxus)? Caress the odd-shaped, fuzzy seeds that cover the winter stems of Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus).

TASTE

What does winter taste like? Canning or freezing delicious produce such as tomatoes, carrots, corn, peppers, and pickles can become favorite winter flavors. Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, turnips, rutabagas, and parsnips that are removed from the ground in late fall will remain fresh with proper storage; think root vegetable risotto on a cold winter evening. Garlic stored from the July harvest and herbs grown indoors provide mouthwatering flavor. Many recipes transform edible parts of landscape plants into a myriad of teas and soups. Preparing salsas, sauces, and relishes from vegetables, and butters, jams, jellies, and marmalades from fruits can result in a delicious taste of winter.

 SMELL

Cook's Peak Arizona Cypress
photo credit: csucohort blogspot

Science has proven that noses are not as sensitive to smells in the winter as odor molecules move slower in colder weather. Besides winter’s chimney smoke, there are wonderful scents in the landscape. Evergreens such as firs (Abies), pines (Pinus), cedars (Cedras), junipers (Juniperus) and cypress (such as Cupressus arizonica 'Cooke Peak') release an aroma when the foliage is touched. Persistent berries on many shrubs or crabapple trees are fragrant, so gently remove berries from the branches and enjoy the fruity scents. Mojave sage (Salvia mohavensis) and Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) are not only ornamental in the winter, but still maintain that strong scent enjoyed during the growing season. Perennial herbs with outdoor hardiness (lavender, creeping thyme, oregano) are also sure to stimulate the sense of smell.

Find plants in the landscape that delight the five senses that can improve the winter blues. If it is difficult to find something, make a plan to plant something next spring that will provide a mood boost next winter.

Hantavirus Concerns

Kurt M. Jones

Chaffee County Extension Director

            The weather looks like it will be fantastic this coming weekend, and many of us will be getting outside.  Time for the spring cleaning in the home and sheds!  Use caution if you are cleaning in areas infested with mice.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been recognized as a disease only recently in North America. So far, it's also fairly uncommon and the chances of becoming infected are low.  However, HPS is potentially deadly and immediate intensive care is essential once symptoms appear.

Rodents, especially the deer mouse, carry Hantaviruses that cause HPS. You can become infected by exposure to their droppings, and the first signs of sickness (especially fever and muscle aches) appear 1 to 5 weeks later, followed by shortness of breath and coughing.  Once this phase begins, the disease progresses rapidly, necessitating hospitalization and often ventilation within 24 hours. 

             Healthy, active people are more likely to become infected because their activities often put them in contact with the virus.  Anything that puts you in contact with rodent droppings, urine or nesting materials can place you at risk for infection. These include such activities as opening up cabins and sheds or cleaning outbuildings that have been closed during the winter—such as barns, garages or storage facilities for farm and construction equipment. Both activities mean you may directly touch rodents or their droppings and/or "stir up the dust," and when you touch or inhale them, you're at risk for infection.

Follow a few simple instructions to protect yourself from this dangerous disease.  First, put on latex rubber gloves before cleaning up.  Don't stir up dust by sweeping up or vacuuming up droppings, urine or nesting materials.  Instead, thoroughly wet contaminated areas with detergent or liquid to deactivate the virus. Most general-purpose disinfectants and household detergents are effective. However, a hypochlorite solution prepared by mixing 1 and 1/2 cups of household bleach in 1 gallon of water may be used in place of commercial disinfectant. When using the chlorine solution, avoid spilling the mixture on clothing or other items that may be damaged.  Once everything is wet, take up contaminated materials with a damp towel, then mop or sponge the area with disinfectant.

Spray dead rodents with disinfectant, then double-bag along with all cleaning materials and bury or burn—or throw out in appropriate waste disposal system.  Finally, disinfect gloves before taking them off with disinfectant or soap and water. After taking off the clean gloves, thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water.

When going into cabins or outbuildings (or work areas) that have been closed for a while, open them up and air out before cleaning.

At the present time, there is no specific treatment or "cure" for hantavirus infection.  However, we do know that if the infected individuals are recognized early and are taken to an intensive care unit, some patients may do better. In intensive care, patients are intubated and given oxygen therapy to help them through the period of severe respiratory distress.

The earlier the patient is brought in to intensive care, the better. If a patient is experiencing full distress, it is less likely the treatment will be effective.  Therefore, if you have been around rodents and have symptoms of fever, deep muscle aches and severe shortness of breath, see your doctor immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor that you have been around rodents—this will alert your physician to look closely for any rodent-carried disease such as HPS.