I don’t believe in leaving things to chance. Luck doesn’t find me, I go out and find opportunities. And, in the same way, I engineer small wonders of nature in my garden. By small wonders, I mean anything nature does which makes me smile. It’s normally something that tickles the senses. Colour, scent, texture – yes, please!
At this time of the year, I buy spring-flowering bulbs like they are hotcakes. I simply can’t get enough. It’s because I know that the plentiful months are drawing to an end. The harvest is in and bleaker months are ahead. And I know that in 2022 when moods are low and bad weather is causing cabin fever, I want to be able to look out of the window and see cheerful faces looking back at me. Ramrod straight tulips, nodding narcissus (daffodils) and the brave snowdrops which are the first to appear, breaking even the coldest and frostiest ground.
So, I plant bulbs in flower pots and tuck them away next to the oil tank until the Spring. Then they are placed where I can see them without leaving the house. Others are layered up under my pots of autumn and winter bedding plants. Dark purple Queen of the Night tulips will perfectly partner orange violas and wallflowers (another example of planting now for spring cheer).
Each year the bulbs from the pots are planted out in the flower beds after they have finished flowering. It is much easier to plant them when I know where the gaps are. Irises will puncture the bare earth like jewels and delight me as I go to the car, wrapped up like the Michelin man in my duvet-like coat.
So if you dread the thought of the long winter moments spend a few pounds on some bulbs and I promise you will thank me in Spring 2022.
You can find more practical advice on how to bring small wonders of nature into your life in Hannah’s book, The Cactus Surgeon: Using Nature to Fix A Faulty Brain. It’s on sale now and you can find out more here.