April 8th, 2010
Every spring since I started gardening, I reach the point at least once when I feel so overwhelmed by what has to be done that I seriously think about sitting down for a nice, long boo-hoo.
There just isn’t enough time to clean it all up! I don’t have enough energy for all of this! Everything is asleep and it’s difficult to imagine a garden springing up from the ravages of winter.
Thankfully, Mother Nature usually kicks in about this time and starts presenting small gifts. The hellebores climb out of the rotting leaves and from under the snow with profusions of blooms.
Helleborus x hybridus ‘Kingston Cardinal’
The daffodils poke their heads up and begin to bloom.
The tulips aren’t far behind.
Garlic that I planted back in the fall is growing. And it’s safe to put out the lettuce starts.
And it all begins to look hopeful and (Dare I say it?) pretty after all.
Posted In: Garden Design, Gardening, Gardening Life
Tags: Blogging, daffodils, hellebores, lettuce, spring
January 30th, 2010
The chickens aren’t the only ones sick of this wintertime weather inconvenience. I’ve been jonesin’ for spring for weeks now. Well, spring and chocolate. I can do something about the chocolate.
It turns out, I can do a little something about spring too! Some of my gardening pals egged me on (*snicker*) with their discussion of all the spring bulbs they were buying for forcing. The nursery of choice among these seasoned gardeners was Brent and Becky’s.
Hey, I can keep up with the Joneses and get my jones on too! (Is anyone following me here?)
Here’s the Brent and Becky’s winter mix bulbs with narcissus, tulips and small oxalis peaking out around their feet. Next to it is the gorgeous Amarylis ‘Elvas’ and the stout little ‘Foxtrot’ tulips.
I also have some Princes Irene and ‘Lilac Wonder’ tulips, but they’re not quite ready for their debut.
There’s still a lot of winter left here in Southern Maryland. In fact, as I write this it’s snowing. The weather guessers had predicted a couple of inches. Right now it looks like it’s about eight inches and rising.
I responded, of course, by ordering seeds. So far I’ve placed a nice, healthy order at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and a smallish order at Cook’s Garden. I’m not even closed to finished yet, cause I’m jonesin’ for some summer bulbs.
Brent and Becky’s here I come!
Posted In: Gardening, Gardening Life, House Plants
Tags: bulbs spring
Hi! I'm Robin Ripley author of Wisdom for Home Preservers, published by Taunton Press. I am also co-author of Grocery Gardening. Bumblebee is about my life in rural Maryland, my garden and my love of food, my little dogs and pet chickens. You can follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook. Thank you for visiting!
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