Days Like Today Is Why I Plant It Forward

Dreary, rainy few days before Christmas. Waiting for spring.

We have literally hundreds of flower bulbs inground concentrating on blooming this spring, starting in about six weeks. If you have experienced the glory of screaming yellow daffodils in February or jolly red tulips in March in the midst of the grey, grey, grey of winter---you will joyfully plant it forward.

Added many more bulbs this year.

Crocus

Last year provided such magnificent incentive. So lovely, and even sweet smelling.

Here are some shots from last year--wish I had smell-a-blog for the hyacinth.

In our growing zone (7b) crocus blooms first in the very early spring, then daffodils, then tulips, iris and hyacinths. Or when they feel like it.

Little jonquils.

Nature is sometimes unpredictable.

Daffodils

Tulips, simple and fancy.

This autumn, I have invested in many new bulbs for groups called 'Cottage Garden,' 'English Garden,' and, what you would expect for a gardener in the Mojave Desert, bulbs for rock gardens. Many of these will be new to me--loving the anticipation and challenge.

Irises, Van Gogh

Along with bringing bright beauty during winter days, bulbs

Early Iris.

 help with preventing erosion, and the early blooms are great for the bees who overwinter with us. The bulbs of the early spring flowers will multiply every year. Gardening is, obviously, an excellent STEM project for classrooms. Having a resilient garden of bulbs that comes back every year is a great project for students. How marvelous to expect the recurring success of blooming daffodils or tulips every year as you go through your school experience. And a bulb garden is so easy to plant and nurture. Teachers--how can you resist doing this? And of course, the STEAM asset of a bulb garden--not only are some of the most famous paintings by artists like Monet and Van Gogh been of bulb flowers, but what a lovely chance for students to create art of their own, dear flowers. How cool is that?

Beautiful to look at, beautiful to smell! Hyacinth.