Potager Field Notes: January

The turn of the year brings a welcome calm over the potager and the studio. Outside, snow covers the sleeping garden beds, while inside, the fires are lit and the studio is filled with the cozy warmth of winter planning. January is our month of quiet reflection, a dedicated time to review notes from the past season, organize saved seeds, and dream up new fragrance concepts for the year ahead.

IN THE POTAGER 
While the garden takes a long winter’s nap, January is spent indoors sifting through seed catalogs, sketching out new gardens, and inspecting saved seed envelopes from last autumn’s marigolds and zinnias. It is a peaceful season of quiet and planning for the coming year.

IN THE STUDIO 
Winter in the studio is reserved for scent development and recipe testing. Free from the rush of market season, we take this time to experiment with new botanical blends, test wick performances, and let our imagination run wild with new packaging concepts. Every new candle begins here as a quiet idea tested in small batches before joining our pouring schedule.

CRAFTSMANSHIP 
Formulating small-batch soy candles and cold-processed soaps requires patience and precision. From balancing delicate top notes with grounding base resins to ensuring proper wax cure times in cool temperatures, every step is done slowly and by hand to ensure exceptional quality.

JANUARY STARGAZING 
The Quadrantid Meteor Shower peaks in early January, kicking off the new astronomical year under crisp, clear skies. On freezing winter nights, look south to spot the bold, unmistakable constellation of Orion the Hunter and the brilliant sparkle of Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky. On January 3 keep an eye out for the first full Supermoon of the year called the Wolf Moon.

BOTANICAL FOLKLORE 
In ancient winter traditions, seeds resting deep beneath the frozen earth were revered as symbols of dormant potential and quiet magic. Herbalists believed midwinter was the time to nourish the hearth with warming, resinous spices, like star anise, clove, and sweet orange, to cleanse the home and preserve vitality until the return of the sun.