Bee in Crocus

I'm sharing this picture of a bee in my backyard crocus drift because it's too lovely not to.

Bee in Crocus
Toronto

Although this is an image of a single bee, there were plenty more bees among the crocus blooms. I'm always drawn to colourful crocuses, but on this day it was the sound of buzzing bees that captured my attention. They seemed quite content to be dusted in pollen.  Crocuses are among the first sources of bee food in early spring. 

First Day of Spring: It's Like They Know

The first day of spring is always exciting. I was doubly excited this morning to discover that the first tomato seeds have sprouted. Brandywine Red, an heirloom tomato with large fruit, and Petit Bec, a slightly larger than cherry-sized tomato, have each produced seedlings. 

Brandywine Red has sprouted in
my kitchen window

Marvelling at the timing of the tomatoes, I found myself thinking, "It's like they know." I figure tomatoes must have a good sense of season, far beyond the soil and sun that signals to them that it's time to start growing. I think tomatoes also have a good sense of self. They are confident in their purpose. We should all be so lucky. My unfurling seedlings, rising up, unfolding from the soil, and reaching for the light on the first day of spring inspired this poem.

It's Like They Know

It's like they know the sun grows strong

That winter is retreating.

It's like they know the time has come

For stretching after sleeping.

It's like they know the rains will fall

Rush through them, rivers flowing.

It's like they know they will grow tall

Sun-kissed and warm, green glowing.

It's like they know their leaves will sway 

In breezes hushed and rustling.

It's like they know their vines will climb 

With fruit plump red and bustling.

It's like they know tomorrow waits

For seeds windswept and sowing.

It's like they know time runs short

The snow will soon be blowing.

It's like they know.

Petit Bec will produce a large cherry-type
tomato. My seeds were quite old, so I am
exceptionally impressed by their growth 

One thing I know for certain is that I will be enjoying the growing season ahead.

Happy Gardening!

© My Roots Run Deep II

Galanthus: Hero of the Late-Winter Garden

Snowdrops have made their first appearance in the garden. The botanical name of these diminutive bulbs comes to us from two Greek words: gála meaning "milk" and ánthos meaning "flower." The resulting mash-up is the source of Galanthus. 

Galanthus. I find myself saying the name over and over again. It's really quite lovely. Galanthus. Galanthus. Galanthus. It's a name that strikes me as worthy of a righteous leader. A leader of mythic proportion. If I were to create a hero, I would use the name Galanthus. My musings about the name got me thinking about the leadership role these small bulbs play in the late-winter garden and inspired a poem.

Snowdrops (Galanthus) in my backyard
Toronto garden

Galanthus

First born of weary, waning winter
With courage fierce, pierce the snow
Sundering terra from frost's cruel clutch

Renascent ruler of burgeoning spring
Toiling for light, resplendent, milk white
Nourishing ravenous captives, liberated anew

Verdant victor, slayer of inhospitable season
Your vernal vigour heralds hope
Soothing convalescents with salves of inflorescence

Humble woodland servant, saviour of revival
Bow now your nodding head and rest
Restored and freed, awakened are we

In Toronto, watch for snowdrops in bloom starting in early March and sometimes even late February. As the common name of the flower suggests, snowdrops aren't bothered by snow. As such, they lead the way in announcing spring's imminent arrival every year. 

Happy Gardening! 

Eco-Friendly Seed Starters: Paper Rolls

For a hobby so focused on nurturing plants that emerge from the earth, gardening can produce a lot of waste harmful to the planet. Many a gardener has been overwhelmed by the sheer number of plastic pots in their backyard shed. Fortunately, when it comes to seed starting, there are lots of eco-friendly options. Last year, I used eggshells, which proved to be a great success. This year, I'm going to see if toilet paper rolls are up to the task. Creating the containers is fun and easy.

Cut the toilet paper roll in half

Fold the half roll. Cut a 1 cm slit. Fold again.  Make a second cut.

Fold at the cuts to create four flaps

Fold the flaps, overlapping as you go, to create a small box

Fill your paper-roll seed starters with a potting mix and seed

Spritz with water and place your paper pots near a bright window

This is a perfect project for March, a good time for Toronto gardeners to start tomatoes, peppers and onions indoors. This first batch of seedlings includes the following:

• Petitbec (cherry tomato)
• Sweet Baby Girl (cherry tomato)
• Brandywine Red (large, plump heirloom dubbed the king of tomatoes)
• Korean Kimchee Hot Pepper (the biggest success of my 2020 garden. I love these peppers!)
• Flame Hybrid Thai Pepper
• Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper
• Southport White Globe Green Onions
• Red Wing Hybrid Red Onion

Unlike last year, when the pandemic significantly delayed seed order arrivals, this year I am digging into my existing seed stash. Some seeds are older, and it remains to be seen whether germination will happen. Even old seeds have been known to sprout quite successfully, though. My long-in-the-tooth selections have been stored well in a cool, dark place, so I hope they are viable.

The first gardening project of the year is always so exciting and satisfying. By gardening standards, prepping eco-friendly containers for seedlings is as easy a job as it gets. The months ahead will mean more work, but my garden companion wants to enjoy this moment.  A nap in the sunshine of a waning winter is just the way to do it.

 

Happy gardening!

Countdown to Spring: Tappin' Time

A haiku (by yours truly) to mark the start of maple syrup season.

sugar bush water

confection of winter's ebb

sweet saturation

The first tap (and sap) of maple syrup season
Flamborough, Ontario