Sunday, March 17, 2013

It took me quite some time to realize, not to mention admit to myself, that a love for flowers and the beauty of nature is not synonymous with having a green thumb. In fact, it doesn't even mean you like gardening. The truth is I'm a romantic gardener; and like many things in life, I like the idea of it more than the activity itself. I'm open to applause for I feel it was a stretch in humility for me to accept that. (The Russian is clapping with all his might.)


So when all those spring flower bulbs appeared on the supermarket shelves two weeks ago, I exercised a heretofore unknown ability to choose wisely, asking myself the pertinent question of "Will I really plant this?" Because, and I bow my head in a slight gesture of shame, I used to buy and let die on the dugout shelves. Such a bad gardener I am.


I do not own a shovel - I do not own gloves. But I do have cute boots that I think coordinate nicely with my pajama pants; this is particularly important for romantic gardeners, since we plant when the whim overtakes us rather than when we are actually dressed for it. We use kitchen spoons for the shovels we do not own - a milk pot instead of a watering can. Are you proud of me for admitting this?


I allowed myself two packs of bulbs, White Grape Hyacinth and Lily of the Valley, and planted them this morning since they had already begun to bloom in their tiny plastic bags. Miniature flowers were struggling to break free of their prison, stretching roots out far and long in search of a place to take hold. They were not following the directions on the back of the box, as all good bulbs should; they were not waiting until I planted them between April/May to bloom dutifully in June in a sunny and well-watered area of the yard. My bulbs are unconventional; they resist rules; they would wear cute boots and pajama pants if they could.

Only time will tell whether their need for freedom has sealed their demise for this season, but something there is that needs to grow. Something there is that needs to be set free. How I understand them...





14 comments:

Michael Rowland said...

Your inner gardener in the green boots has such a high level of romantic earth energy that must be radiating out into the bulbs which might explain their early growth spurt.
One of those.little garden shovels are so much fun to use.

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Hi Allison

Love love love the wellies!

Good luck with the bulbs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

x Fiona

TexWisGirl said...

i'm laughing at your 'fessing up. :)

MTWaggin said...

I love the title "romantic gardener" I am going to use that too! I love nature and flowers and plants but my thumbs are brown, my Mom has the green ones as does my brother.

Dawn said...

Love the romantic gardener.
Love the boots. I have them in blue;)

Out on the prairie said...

i have another friend who is similar.I offered to get some bulbs for her, but first asked if she would plant them. You need some mmatching gloves, and the shovels I used to buy and mark his and hers tell your hubby.

Meg said...

It is only this year that I realized, hey my garden has failed epically because I just plant my seeds and then leave the whole bit of dirt alone... I have to actually put some work in. Go figure! LOL! I plant on whims too. Yesterday I got the random thought to plant one of my tomato seedlings - I was barefoot and in a sundress and I kept having to send the kids to get the tools I needed. ;)

Debbie said...

I'm so glad I can be a "romantic gardener" too. You have freed me from my shame but not the tulip bulbs that are still in their boxes in my garage purchased 2 Autumns ago....

Love you!

Randy said...

Love the boots.

Ola said...

I must admit I tried gardening but I am also not a big fan of this type of activities, but sitting in a beatiful garden?...why not:)
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Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love your green - st. patrick's day boots. ( :

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Thank you Allison. I didn't know that the type of gardener I was, was called such a wonderful name. I think I rather enjoy the title romantic gardener.

Evi said...

Quand je vois ce genre de bottes j'ai envie de les acheter, comme toi pour les bulbes! Je me pose la même question . Vais-je les mettre, pourquoi et quand? Si ce n'est pas pour le jardinage, pourquoi pas pour une promenade par un jour de pluie... sauf, qu'il faudra échanger le pantalon du pijama contre un jean ;-)

Nancy said...

All the things you describe here is the beauty of gardening -- doing it your own way and achieving success in spite of it! :)