The Joys of Spring

   The lushness of the garden in spring has finally arrived.  The barren fields of our farms are now green with the promise of corn and soybeans.  The headaches of planting are forgotten for the moment.  The exceptionally hot weather for May has spurred all green things to shoot up.   (Including weeds)
  The rains have been gentle, farmers wish for more as soon as that last seed is in the ground.
   True gardeners are admiring their vegetable plot and dreaming of the first tomato while munching on early green onions.
   I am satisfied with ;my flowers.

A trip to the College Corner Cemetery
delighted my eyes with the beauty of peonies.  Thanks to the caretakers of the cemetery for this peony beauty.  I’ve seen no other cemetery with  the profusion of blooming peonies at Decoration.  The mix of long established peony bushes with the bright silk flowers can be tolerated.

This young, coral beauty grows in my bed.

   I admired one plant that was covered with dark red blooms. I must have one like that, I thought.  But a stop at Shademakers and a talk with Kevin who informed me that sales were brisk for red and pink peonies.  He had none left.  Only white.    He also told me that they need fertilizer.  I did not know that.  He said every growing thing needs food for growth.  And I
thought peony blooms lived on love.
  Some plants multiply and multiply just on love. Take the clustered bellflower, for instance.  A friend gave me a start some years ago and the purple bloom is gorgeous in the spring.  Soon it had spread to another part of my flower garden.  It became entangled with iris and poppies.
   It was time for me to share, and I did.  And she made it a star with supporting cast.  No love lost there.

This bed can be seen at Stewart Square, OxfordAdd caption

   Some plants multiply without much love.  The lilies of the valley were so
rampant I gave away a bushel basket full.
   Gooseneck loosestrife with it’s bowed heads is charming in a bouquet but
watch out, it will take over the whole flower bed if you let it.
  Growing flowers can be a lifetime of joy and learning.
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Children, Garden Club, and Life

   Life has its  disappointments.  Some are big and some are small.  A lack of spring mushrooms falls in one of those categories.  Amazingly, we survive.  I wanted to write how I fried the morels and snakeheads, but no--.
   On the other hand, life has rewards.  Some are big and some are small.

Children bringing dandelion bouquets is one reward.
The State Line Country Garden Club plant sale was a reward for many.

The members had fun (and work); the buyers went home with things they never knew they needed; and when the angelonia blooms everyone will be happy.

   First grade students in Union County,; Indiana and  Kramer Elementary School in Oxford   were

rewarded with redbud tree seedlings.  Thanks to the garden club that gave 200 trees to students.  The mature  redbud trees are in their glory now, so children can see what the future may hold.

   My seed starting venture is going slowly, despite the fluorescent lights.  I just sow seeds
for plants that are not readily available at the greenhouses.  Globe amaranth, cockscomb, statice and tall snapdragons are it for this year.  . I have only a tiny bit of space for planting annuals;, January catalogs enticed me to buy zinnias seed, sunflower seed and

other necessities.  Reality sets in in May.
    I read somewhere that bees like dandelions.  So, my lawn is a winner, there.
   You don’t need a recipe for asparagus fresh from the garden.  What you need is a steamer that fits in your pan.  Just  a minute or two, then add a bit of salt and lemon juice and you have a spring treat.  .  Some folk like to roast  asparagus.  A bit of olive oil and some salt, add some other vegies  and you have an easy meal. Thankfully the spears seem to shoot up overnight.

Food for thought.

Reason faces up to life
And sees things as they are
Hope sees things as they ought to be
And wishes on a star
Faith dreams of miracles to come
That only God can do.
Love goes to work with patient hands
To make those dreams come true.
                                            Anon