It definitely isn’t cheating to have the bulbs inside - that’s what forcing bulbs is all about, after all! Think of it as a little appetiser to keep you going till the starter arrives…
I’m the world’s most impatient gardener and the biggest ants-in-pants fidget - I may give you a run for your money- and mid-February is rubbish as far as the bulbs are concerned. I keep looking at mine every day, and they’ve seized up completely. But the primroses are here, and the snowdrops… and I’m planning and buying roses for extended beds. Now’s the time for reading and planning and feeding the birds. The irises WILL come
Stuart-Smith is a cool go-to. As is, in a different way, the late Christopher Lloyd who is a mixture of erudite and flamboyant (a very good combination) who said that being a gardener teaches one to deal with disappointment…which is a different thing to impatience,
I am a patient man (no great shakes, it’s like having brown eyes and a moustache) So, while I get your point, I don’t identify with it in the same way. Rest assured, all those bulbs are - probably - doing their shtick in the soil. And if they don’t, well…read some Christopher Lloyd and see if you can find his take on disappointment.
Queenstown Road? There’s a blast from the past: some (actually long) years ago it was the location for The London Leatherman where many of us London leatherman would have our leathers made. As far as I recall there was actually a bus stop just outside.
Oh how I wish the leatherman was still there and then you’d have a reason to visit! I adore Christopher Lloyd though haven’t read everything of his. But I agree - all of life’s lessons can be learned in the garden, I think. Tenderness and violence, growth and destruction. And you are quite right. The bulbs are working away, and I should be more patient with them - they’re doing their best.
Much nonsense (even disguised as 'science') is talked about how good gardening is for us all. As if grief, horror, misery, expense, envy and jealousy, rivalry, and anger weren't all part of it, like life, too.
May I make a gentle request or two? Let Christopher Lloyd lie in peace. Has no-one said anything about anything horticultural since he was alive?
Hahaha, I couldn't agree more, Anne! All those sins and more are in gardening as in everything in life! And not to worry, I *do* read your comments as supportive!
February is the month when I look out at my garden, that pool of mud punctuated by lifeless looking sprouty plants that have yet to regain a single bud, and I think ‘I hate you’. Loud and clear, the message comes back, “we all hate you as well.”
But things will improve. You and I know that. And somewhere, probably snug in the compost heap, your garden knows that too.
Oh gardening can be so stressful and anxiety inducing! Especially if you compare your garden to others online. So much in terms of bulbs flowering depends on the position (not just the variety). My daffodils in a raised bed under the protection of a large Butia palm tree are flowering already despite the temperatures barely rising above freezing but the same varieties in the borders are not even half their size and I know it will be at least 3-4 weeks before they flower. I also had a pot of daffodils in the greenhouse to cheat the spring into coming early. They are out now and positioned on the table by my back door so I can enjoy their yellow cheeriness through my kitchen window.
Of course when things start racing on we wish we could hold them back a little. For my temperament I feel August is relatively relaxed and November is a good pace ( things are stationary and if you don’t get them done today tomorrow is fine 🤣)
"A nose pressed against the window of time." Brilliant. Captures the gardening moment perfectly. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I'm staring at my rhubarb, willing it to grow. Only one has emerged the tiniest bit. I worry I've lost the others. It's like staring at a baby to see if it's breathing. Totally pointless, and yet, I persist.
YES re the baby breathing! I have a strong feeling that watched plants are like the proverbial watched pot. They just want to be left alone to get on in peace. But despite feeling this, I spent like 20 mins this morning turning each pot a little bit, scrutinising growth. COME ON BLOODY BULBS!
"...inspecting the troops and finding that none of them have polished their boots. I mean, COME ON, lads"
Marvellous writing and exactly how I feel in the February garden. At least there are catkins and I'm glad I'm finally grown up enough to have planted some hellebores.
It definitely isn’t cheating to have the bulbs inside - that’s what forcing bulbs is all about, after all! Think of it as a little appetiser to keep you going till the starter arrives…
I’m the world’s most impatient gardener and the biggest ants-in-pants fidget - I may give you a run for your money- and mid-February is rubbish as far as the bulbs are concerned. I keep looking at mine every day, and they’ve seized up completely. But the primroses are here, and the snowdrops… and I’m planning and buying roses for extended beds. Now’s the time for reading and planning and feeding the birds. The irises WILL come
It’s the breadbasket of the garden. 😂❤️
Sorry posted before I’d finished!
Stuart-Smith is a cool go-to. As is, in a different way, the late Christopher Lloyd who is a mixture of erudite and flamboyant (a very good combination) who said that being a gardener teaches one to deal with disappointment…which is a different thing to impatience,
I am a patient man (no great shakes, it’s like having brown eyes and a moustache) So, while I get your point, I don’t identify with it in the same way. Rest assured, all those bulbs are - probably - doing their shtick in the soil. And if they don’t, well…read some Christopher Lloyd and see if you can find his take on disappointment.
Queenstown Road? There’s a blast from the past: some (actually long) years ago it was the location for The London Leatherman where many of us London leatherman would have our leathers made. As far as I recall there was actually a bus stop just outside.
Oh how I wish the leatherman was still there and then you’d have a reason to visit! I adore Christopher Lloyd though haven’t read everything of his. But I agree - all of life’s lessons can be learned in the garden, I think. Tenderness and violence, growth and destruction. And you are quite right. The bulbs are working away, and I should be more patient with them - they’re doing their best.
Sorry. I really am bad tempered sometimes. My comment was meant to be supportive…..(!)
Much nonsense (even disguised as 'science') is talked about how good gardening is for us all. As if grief, horror, misery, expense, envy and jealousy, rivalry, and anger weren't all part of it, like life, too.
May I make a gentle request or two? Let Christopher Lloyd lie in peace. Has no-one said anything about anything horticultural since he was alive?
And can we sow seeds?
Hahaha, I couldn't agree more, Anne! All those sins and more are in gardening as in everything in life! And not to worry, I *do* read your comments as supportive!
I’m relieved. I stayed feeling a bit anxious, having let off steam a little there. Xx
February is the month when I look out at my garden, that pool of mud punctuated by lifeless looking sprouty plants that have yet to regain a single bud, and I think ‘I hate you’. Loud and clear, the message comes back, “we all hate you as well.”
But things will improve. You and I know that. And somewhere, probably snug in the compost heap, your garden knows that too.
😂 so so right, Helen!!
Oh gardening can be so stressful and anxiety inducing! Especially if you compare your garden to others online. So much in terms of bulbs flowering depends on the position (not just the variety). My daffodils in a raised bed under the protection of a large Butia palm tree are flowering already despite the temperatures barely rising above freezing but the same varieties in the borders are not even half their size and I know it will be at least 3-4 weeks before they flower. I also had a pot of daffodils in the greenhouse to cheat the spring into coming early. They are out now and positioned on the table by my back door so I can enjoy their yellow cheeriness through my kitchen window.
February is definitely not for the impatient - a characteristic of us all during this month🤷♂️
I'm so, so glad it isn't just me. Thank you, Dave.
Of course when things start racing on we wish we could hold them back a little. For my temperament I feel August is relatively relaxed and November is a good pace ( things are stationary and if you don’t get them done today tomorrow is fine 🤣)
"A nose pressed against the window of time." Brilliant. Captures the gardening moment perfectly. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I'm staring at my rhubarb, willing it to grow. Only one has emerged the tiniest bit. I worry I've lost the others. It's like staring at a baby to see if it's breathing. Totally pointless, and yet, I persist.
YES re the baby breathing! I have a strong feeling that watched plants are like the proverbial watched pot. They just want to be left alone to get on in peace. But despite feeling this, I spent like 20 mins this morning turning each pot a little bit, scrutinising growth. COME ON BLOODY BULBS!
"...inspecting the troops and finding that none of them have polished their boots. I mean, COME ON, lads"
Marvellous writing and exactly how I feel in the February garden. At least there are catkins and I'm glad I'm finally grown up enough to have planted some hellebores.