Early Spring in the Garden

Blue Bells in the spring garden
photo by Lynne Collier

The first thing to do in spring — take down the Christmas lights!

Lynne

The second thing I do is the annual walkabout to see what we have to deal with as far as cleanup.

The January and February snowstorms leave a mass of broken branches and debris everywhere here in southern Ontario. And cleaning it up can take several weeks. 

After removing all the decorations from the past Christmas, my husband and son pick up the heavy branches and tree limbs that have fallen. I follow them, picking up the smaller branches and pruning dead ones.

The Walkabout

After the fallen branches have all been moved to the landfill, I finally take stock of the landscape. I walk around the planted gardens, woodland and riverbank with my camera and notebook, taking photos of things to change.

I note any large items I need for interesting focal points and relocate anything out of place before planting my new perennials. I try not to use too many annuals unless I run out of perennials to split. This cuts down on cost, and perennials tend to mound, cutting down on weeds too. Although I do have some favourite annuals I like to use in containers on my deck.

Then, I sit with a cup of tea by the river and write my notes. Sometimes, when a large area needs a different design, I also need graph paper to make sure I get the dimensions correct.  I learned soon after digging the first gardens to be aware of where I need new plants and how tall and wide they’ll grow. So many times, in the beginning, I had to relocate something because it was in the wrong light or overshadowed smaller plants.

Writing notes also helps me decide if I need to change things with a view to my garden’s foundational aspects, such as trees, statuaries and bushes. I generally do this in the fall but sometimes things grow unexpectedly or a storm demands changes in the spring too.

The Lenten Rose

I’m always overjoyed to see my Lenten Rose survive the extremely long winter months. The leaves, a mound of green under the melting snow, bring such hope when they begin to show their colours. Before the ground thaws, these magnificent blooms reach out through the frozen mulch from the previous year to greet us with the promise of a new spring.

Its recorded history dates back centuries when it was used as a medicinal plant. It became known by the common name Lenten Rose because it blooms during the season of Lent. It’s a favourite of many traditional Victorian gardens and ideal for the climate of my zone 4 shade garden.

photo by Lynne Collier
Lily-of-the-Valley

Every year we have an invasion of those plants we love but can’t control. For example, we’re currently battling a sea of Bugleweed in the clearing. Soon, the plant I really hate to love — Lily-of-the-Valley — will be sprouting everywhere in the woodland. In spring, the clusters are so beautiful when the shaded woodland is primarily dormant. Still, the plant can be invasive if I don’t want it to spread to other locations.

Lily-0f-the-Valley is also known as Mary’s Tears due to its blooming time around the Christian Easter event of the crucifixion of Jesus, when his mother, Mary, wept at His feet.

The Lily-of-the-Valley produces strands of small, bell-shaped flowers on top of a single stem above the leaves. The flowers are incredibly fragrant and are used in perfumes and potpourri. It spreads prolifically by rhizomes and grows in the shade where the ground is moist. We find it in large groupings throughout our woodland and the river banks, where the soil seldom wholly dries out, even in the hot summer months.

Though beautiful and fragrant, this plant is extremely poisonous! I always wear gloves when I’m handling it.

One way to rein in the offending invaders is to put them in pots. First, I bury the pot in the garden with the rim flush with the soil surface. Next, I make sure the pot has holes in the bottom for drainage. This holds back plants that multiply by tubers or spreading roots. If the pot becomes crowded, I divide them in spring or move them to a bigger pot. These plants are great as fast-growing groundcovers but will overtake an area quickly if not kept in check.

photo by nils-art on pixabay

Other Groundcovers

Two more of my favourite groundcovers are the English Bluebell and the Forget-Me-Not, which bloom here in early May. I split these after they flower and fill in bare patches at the woodland edge every year. They self-seed and are very hardy.

I’m happy to see they’ve usually doubled in number the following year. I grouped the plant here in a shade garden with Bleeding Heart, Solomon’s Seal, Hosta and Fern. I also leave dandelion in spring for the migrating butterflies.

Forget-me-not in the garden with Bleeding Heart
photo by Lynne Collier
Here’s a Tip for Next Spring

After the spring plants have finished blooming, I dig up the spent bulbs and plant them directly in the garden using the layering method. Or I plant them in a pot in the ground to over-winter the bulbs. In spring, I take the pots out of the ground as soon as the ground thaws and water them thoroughly. They also make excellent inserts, and I love to display them in decorative containers on my deck.

I also like to leave some pots in the garden after the blooms are spent. This gives me a continuous show of colour next spring, and I find the bulbs will multiply to expand my collection or share with friends.

Spring bulbs are also easy to grow indoors at the end of winter and make wonderful Mothers Day and Easter gifts.

Two ideas for spring bulbs to give as gifts or adorn your own home

1. An easy gift to make; choose a glass or clear plastic container, fill the bottom with pebbles or small rocks or similar material, place the bulbs on top of the stones with the roots down, and water thoroughly. Keep the bulbs covered with water, and a beautiful display will bloom. It makes a stunning centrepiece and the bulbs can be planted outdoors, ready for next year.

Daffodils and Narcissus are beautiful in a vase for spring, as are Tulips and Hyacinth. I love to watch the roots spread in the water.

2. Layering; place approximately 2″ of potting soil in a large pot, layer your bulbs starting with the ones needing to be planted deepest, add 1″ of soil on top of them, then your medium-sized bulbs on top of those being careful not to place them directly above the first bulbs, put another 1″ of soil covering those, then your smallest bulbs above them, cover the top layer of bulbs with 2–3″ of soil to the rim of the pot, pack down lightly and water thoroughly.

I like to use crocus, tulips and daffodil for this layering technique.

’Til next time — I hope you’re enjoying the much-anticipated warmer weather if you’re in spring where you are. But, if you’re in winter — I feel for you!

~Lynne


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Lynne Collier

Lynne Collier on Medium

New Ebook

I’m excited to share this with you!

Hello. I was busy in the fall, collecting my poems about our home at White Rose Shire. So I’m happy to announce its release on Amazon.

This is a project especially dear to my heart. My granddaughter, Kara, is an artist. She drew some beautiful pictures to add delight to the little poetry book. Some poems have already been featured on my Medium platform, and I’ve added a link at the bottom if you’d like to read more.

The book is available in print and ebook from Amazon, and you can read it for free if you’re a member of Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program.

Kara and I will love to hear from you if you read it!

Til next time, know you are loved by the One who created you in His image.

~ Lynne

If you enjoyed reading this, you can read more of my poems here:https://medium.com/@lynnecollier/list/poetry-eb7054f51423

And, if you enjoy writing poetry yourself, you can become a Medium writer by following this link:https://lynnecollier.medium.com/membership

What God Really Wants

“Rise” by Ray Majoran in Compassion Gallery — 100% of profits go to charities

What God Wants
What if all that God requires of me
is the simplest thing
as I wake in the morning
before I do any other thing
before I make any other decision
about what to eat
or what to wear
before I speak
or comb my hair
before I sit at my desk
what if I simply ask
“What do You have for me today?”
and listen to what He has to say?

Just one simple thing
What if it’s that simple? I mean, really that simple? Have we been overcomplicating this trust in God thing? Have we wasted so much time reading the perfect study books and taking the perfect writing courses? Maybe attending the perfect workshops or listening to the ones we think have the perfect biblical answers?

“It’s acceptable. It’s been normalized. It’s expected. But that doesn’t make it right.”

Kimberley Payne

Kimberley Payne speaks on busyness in “Meeting Faith: 100 Devotions for Women on Family, Fitness, and Faith.”

I was busy doing all those things and getting nowhere until I remembered God had the answers to all my questions. He knew me better and more intimately than anyone I thought knew what was best for me. He knew my struggles and how I could overcome the fogginess in my mind and aching in my heart. And who knows social media marketing algorithms better?

I wanted to serve Him, but I’d forgotten to ask what He wanted me to do!

His burden is light

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29–30 (NIV)

Now I make sure I choose to ask God every morning before I do anything else. I thank Him for the new day and the opportunity to serve Him as His daughter. I wait for Him to speak to me and ask what He also wants me to learn that day. Then I chose one devotional book and followed the writer’s prompts to read further in Scripture.

I usually get a prompt to think about something throughout the day. Sometimes I get an idea for a short memoir or a few lines for a poem! Sometimes I’m led to have a conversation with a friend or maybe pray for someone that suddenly comes to mind out of the blue.

All other things stand firm in their rightful position for the day if that one foundation is laid first. Even if I’m not prompted to do anything in particular, I know I’m still in His will because I did the simplest thing first — I asked.

So, as I go about my day, I occasionally pause and listen, content to wait for His answer.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33–34 (NIV)

‘Til next time–I hope you take time to listen to God as He speaks to you in the quiet moments (or seconds) of your day.

(this post was originally published in Medium)

~Lynne

STAY IN TOUCH

Mercy Still-A Poem of God’s Everlasting Grace

Beverly Buckley-pixabay

Mercy Still

Splintered wood, roughly hewn,
awaits unjust death.
Nails, crudely hammered,
mercilessly driven
through hands that healed.
On the tree He created,
His torn flesh hangs.
But, mercy still comforts the sinner
between the agony of every breath,
’til it is finished
and the Son is glorified by the Father.

(first published in Medium)

~ Lynne

Based on verses from the book of Luke (NIV):

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23: 39–43. NIV)

Another Garden Mystery

two birds at a feeder
Photo by gerhard crous on Unsplash

An upturned plant pot and an unknown creature

The birds flew from the budding cherry tree above the feeder as soon as I threw the seeds inside. Squabbling over the perch, they vied for their position in line. I smiled as I watched the familiar battle of wills and listened to their chirps of disagreement. It wasn’t long before the squirrels and chipmunks heard the sound of the feeder being stocked and joined in the conversation. Another pleasant morning in my garden.

But something caught my attention as I turned to take the seed scoop back inside. Something was there that shouldn’t have been there. There was a pile on the side deck. A pile of evidence that a giant beast had passed that way. Inches from where I stood.

I write fantasy

This happened shortly after I began gathering research for a fantasy story that I hoped to write for the upcoming NaNoWriMo challenge. So, all manner of fanciful ideas flooded my brain. Was it a wolf, a coyote, a rabid dog, or worse–possibly a beast unknown to my area, or a werewolf?!

A wolf in the forest
image by Mila Del Monte on pixabay

I took a deep breath and tried to think of more plausible explanations. I finally decided it was highly probable it was a wayward dollop of sludge from emptying a flower pot. Maybe.

I called to my adult son to come give me his opinion. He writes fantasy too–more than I do and more successfully (I can brag). And, after aliens with no personal hygiene manners were discussed at great length, he concluded yes, it was obviously a werewolf. He has my sense of humour.

And then this happened

We were still laughing at the antics our creative minds get up to when we’re in each other’s company when I spotted something that stopped me and literally caught my breath. I clutched my gardening gloves to my chest and called out to my son. (He was crouching on the front deck, probably still thinking of the possibility of an alien invasion being the reason for the mysterious pile). He sauntered over to me, and I pointed to the offending site.

An upturned flower pot
image by author

Not far from the previous mystery, there was something else alarming. It was in the corner of the deck directly under my bedroom window. So, not only had something left a pile of something behind to let us know it had been on our deck, it showed us how intelligent it was too–while I slept!

With its beautiful begonias and narcissus, a flower pot was completely turned on its side inside the ceramic planter. I think I remained frozen to the spot, like a crazy-looking garden statue, for several minutes. My son stared at the pot, saying nothing. Then, slowly turned to me and said, “What?”

“What?” I exclaimed back at him. Glaring, I pointed to the pot. “It was a huge beast! See, it turned the pot upside down inside the planter! Only a big beastly thing could have done it. The wind couldn’t turn over a pot like that!”

All common sense left me and I remained at a distance from the disturbing sight. I sheepishly glanced about the garden for signs of a terrifying presence. Then, finally, my son went over to inspect the pot. After fiddling about with it for a few minutes, lifting it out and moving it around, he turned to me and grinned.

“Rain.”

“Rain?”

“Yes. Rain.”

He stepped back and proceeded to explain how the weird phenomena had happened.

“It rained heavily last night. The planter probably doesn’t have a large enough hole in the bottom to let all that water drain out at once. The rain collected in the planter and, as the water level rose, it lifted the pot to the surface where a slight imbalance of the planter caused it to tip sideways. The rainwater seeped slowly out of the bottom of the planter, and the water levelled off. The pot sank to rest on the bottom, on its side.”

I straightened myself up and took another deep breath. Although I felt pretty foolish, I took some credit for homeschooling him. I looked at my grinning son.

So, no giant beast or alien invasion?”

“I’m afraid not. Although it would make for a great story.”

’Til next time, I hope you have a lot of laughs in your life and loved ones to share them with and, oh—watch out for the aliens!

~ Lynne


This post was first published on Medium.com

Did you miss my first garden mystery? Here it is —

https://medium.com/weeds-wildflowers/the-great-garden-mystery-4e56c422cff7

Old Pipes – a poem about aging

image by Michael Luenen on pixabay

(originally published on Medium)

Old Pipes

Resounding percussion
from a hollow in the wall.
Faint rhythmic echoes
down the hall.
I can’t quite make out the lyrical throng
or I would happily sing along.

As we age, our hearing may slowly diminish. This has been a opic of several discussions between the older members of my family. So, when I asked my son what music he’d been playing down the hall and he replied he hadn’t, I wrote this poem.

We poets will find inspiration in the strangest places!

May you find your inspiration today.

Lynne

“Hi Gran!”

A Poetic Memoir

photo of grandmother and child by Matlachu on pixabay

When my grandchildren were small, I would often be asked to care for them while their parents worked. I delighted in the opportunity to watch them grow.

My youngest grandson would usually run around the room making “pew-pew” sounds, aiming his lightsaber at the cat or an intruding alien from a far-off galaxy. But sometimes, he would join his sister and me under a cozy blanket on the couch. We’d spend the evening watching Disney movies (for the umpteenth time). We’d drink spicy tea and eat ice cream until they couldn’t keep their eyes open any longer.

Now in their teens, they still greet me with the same, “Hi Gran,” when I visit.

“Hi Gran!”

Disney princesses serenade
along a frozen riverbank.
A bowl of ice cream liquifies
on the table beside us
as our hands coil around a cup
of steamy Bengal Spice.
Childhood wrapped with laughter,
curled up together,
cocooned in a fluffy pink blanket.

’Til next time — I hope you have some children in your life. Cherish all the moments you get.

Lynne

Doing Laundry

Free verse poem of procrastination

image by Piyapong Saydaung on pixabay

Doing Laundry

I swear they were laughing at me

those crumpled garments twisted in a heap.

My comfy bed lay beckoning me

underneath the pile.

Should I hide the dreaded chore

under my bed

and force it from my mind ‘til tomorrow?

Wait – that’s what I did yesterday!

’Til next time — life’s short, so don’t sweat the small stuff (until you can’t get into bed).

Lynne

This poem was originally posted on Medium.

If you’d like to read all my poems and stories you can become a reader of Medium’s thousands of articles each month by thousands of writers for a monthly subscription of only $5 US. You can subscribe using the link below.

https://lynnecollier.medium.com/membership

My Uncle’s Allotment

image by Kurt Bouda on Pixabay
My Uncle’s Allotment

Small surface plot but

almost two thousand miles deep.

Impressive garden!

When I was small we didn’t own land but we were ‘allotted’ a small garden to grow vegetables and flowers if we didn’t have a backyard. I have many fond memories of times planting and harvesting with my great-aunts and uncles. They grew most of their own vegetables. My job was to shell the peas. I giggled every time one popped!

‘Til next time–I hope you can recall some pleasant childhood memories.

Lynne

The Client and The Coach

A free verse poem
image by StockSnap on Pixabay

“Life coaches can help you clarify your goals, identify the obstacles holding you back, and then come up with strategies for overcoming each obstacle.”

verywellmind.com

I used to be a life coach and found enormous satisfaction in helping people realize their potential. Although I still coach occasionally, I no longer have an office practice. Now I enjoy writing—especially poetry.

The Client and The Coach

She sits across from me in the straight-backed chair

fidgeting with a string on her jacket

her long orange-streaked hair falling over her face

as she answers my questions.

Young mother of two with questions of her own

she’s here to find answers but I have none.

What she doesn’t understand yet, is that

all the answers are already within her.

I tell her I can help her find them.

Her head slowly rises from the slump,

brow lines deepen.

She asks how she can possibly have the answers already.

I close my notebook and smile.

’Til next time, I hope you’re feeling good about your future and on the path to fulfilling your dreams.

Lynne

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