Phew!
December 5, 2025
That was close. I managed to get the last of my planting done just days before the La Nina Winter blast was upon us. A few bags of Parrot Tulips as well as standard varieties, some purchased at end of season sale and some gifted, produce a reward like no other. Bright, exotic blooms popping up come Spring are just the perk we need after months of snow and bitter cold. While the snow and ice on the Winter garden can be pretty I tend to get over it by the third day. That leaves an awful lot of Winter left. I’m glad I’ve got these to look forward to.
photos: gp
Last Chance
November 17, 2023
Before the ground freezes and the snow flies, now is your last chance to plant yourself a little Springtime surprise. It’s about now that you could find yourself scoring some nice values on Spring-blooming bulbs. I was lucky enough last year to get my favorites, Parrot Tulips. at substantial savings. Who wouldn’t love a reward like this to look forward to after a long hard Winter? Just knowing that these will be popping up takes a nice bite out of the big chill.
photos: gp
They say…
November 8, 2021
that the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.* The second best time is today. So that’s exactly what’s happening here, to fill in some of the gaps left by last Summer’s surprise twister. A couple of Eastern White Pine will do nicely…fast growing and fragrant with the added bonus of lovely cones and pine straw. And, to whoever occupies this property in the years to come? You’re welcome.
*Chinese proverb
photos: gp
Fall Back….Look Forward
November 7, 2019
Straight from the Netherlands, a surprising and welcome gift of flowering bulbs. Now, as the days are growing shorter, I can try to ward off any Seasonal Affective Disorder by planting the Giant Allium and Parrot Tulips, take a deep breath and anticipate the arrival of their dramatic blooms come Spring. It’s always great to have something to look forward to so, before the snow flies, you might want to to plant some yourself.
photos:gp
“Consider the Daffodil…
October 18, 2013
…and while you’re doing that I’ll be over here looking through your stuff”* Seriously, if you want to see Daffodils in your world come Spring, the time to plant them is now. And to keep it simplequietmodern, forget the neat clusters in beds and borders and toss the bulbs by the handful across your lawn and plant them where they randomly fall. There they will naturalize into welcome drifts of the best yellow ever officially proclaiming the end of Winter.
*Jack Handy
simplequietmodern 