Posted by Erin Autio on Friday, October 16th, 2020 5:03 pm
The fall is certainly beautiful, maybe my favourite season, but let me just say that the flip side of the coin is the waking up in complete darkness. Every part of my being tells me this is cruel and unnatural and every morning is a battle to crawl out from under my blankets. It is the worst, but there is still some work to do out in the garden so I drink the coffee.
The natural world is also slowing down, shutting down, anticipating the big sleep ahead. So it follows that we also start into shut down mode here at Gaia. We have to start later due to the aforementioned darkness. We have to end our day earlier, again due to the darkness. We have started putting on more layers and will soon be getting out there to shut down the gardens for the 2020 season.
The energy and inspiration of spring is past us and let’s be real, we are TIRED! The landscaping season is intense and we are ready for a little hibernation. But, there is one more final bit of excitement that I always look forward to and that is bulb planting. Always puts a spring in my step…..
Every September I wander the garden centre bulb section and pick out some spring flowering bulbs to plant. The rainbow of colours and the names make my decision so difficult but invariably I will add more daffodils (just the classic king Alfred to plant by my creek) and a variety or two of tulip (usually chosen for the fun name) and something new and different to try out.
Planting bulbs feels like a surprise gift or a little love note to myself because honestly, sometimes I forget that I plant them. Even if I do remember I planted them, they go in the ground a dry looking bulb and then the long wait until spring to see signs of life. There is no instant gratification in this process.
Maybe this is why I love bulbs so much. I love sitting with possibility. This is why I never wanted to know the sex of my children when I was pregnant and why I never try to peek at presents at Christmas. I love to imagine what could be, all the options. Reality is so final.
So I imagine all my tulips and daffodils as I plant them. It’s a real rainbow/unicorn/lollipop fest in my mind, and I think I talk to them when I tuck them in. “See you in the spring little friends!”
Probably sounds crazy to some, but if you are a person who is getting this then now is the time to get bulbs planted. Add some early colour to your gardens, a smile to your face, and a hope for spring that will carry you through the long winter ahead!
