Even though we are still amid the depths of winter, the beginning of February always feels to me a little like a breath of fresh (icy) air. The days are getting longer again, and we’re bridging the gap to March—when the first glimmers of spring begin to appear.

Personally, I spent January settling into some new routines, and now I find myself starting to look towards some more familiar ones. Notably, the container garden I always assemble on my small patio balcony. Even now, I’m starting to think of which beautiful annuals I want to pick up once the greenhouse...