Another reason to plant flower bulbs now.....

photo by Jan Johnsen

In 2006, the National Gardening Association in South Burlington, Vermont (I used to be a garden design consultant for them in the early 80s) decided to celebrate National Garden Month by inviting readers to share their garden tales for a "This is My Garden" Sweepstakes.

Here is one of the inspiring stories that they received:



Deciding to Cure by Joanne B.

"Darryl, my husband, lived in what is now our home for 9 years before we married. Each fall I planted daffodil bulbs. He had no interest in planting anything. 

During the winter of 2004-2005 Darryl suffered a bad bout of depression. So that spring and summer flowers became his cure.

 Petunias in planter - by Jan Johnsen

He built a planter at the front edge of the lawn, planted perennials and lots of petunias in hanging baskets and scattered large pots about the yard.
During the autumn we planted tulip bulbs and pansies in the planter. Darryl also planted hyacinths, daffodils and Asiatic lilies.

planters created by Jan Johnsen

Now kids walking by on their way to and from school stop to look at it all. Some have said funny things. Are they real? Are you selling flowers?
photo by Jan Johnsen
Adults slow down as they drive past. One sunny afternoon, a fancy car with a woman at the wheel stopped. I walked out to talk to her. Said she was just stopping to look at our beautful yard. Then she introduced herself as the mayor. I knew her name of course but had never met her. "We give beautification awards" said she.

National Gardening Association

A dull yard became a paradise simply because my husband decided to cure his depression with flowers rather than seek medical help."


What a great story - Joanne B.  I wonder if you got a beautification award?  Now I realize this is not the answer for everyone and that serious depression must be treated professionally...But in this case,  planting flowers helped alleviate this fellow's depression. 

 So plant those bulbs now and you will have a great smile at the end of a cold winter....



Comments

  1. LisaSeptember 30, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    This really hit home with me. I started gardening as a way to combat stress about 4 years ago when I was going through a difficult time in my life. Now, like you, people will slow as they drive by to see what I have created. It feels great!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan JohnsenSeptember 30, 2013 at 11:25 AM

      Bask in all that admiration, Lisa! it is well earned...and you bring smiles to others as well.

      Delete
  2. Eileen HawkSeptember 30, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    The town of Lodi WI has a project to honor the memory of a lovely daffodil lady. We meet with our trowels in tow and plant daffodils all over the community. The abundance of happy blooms in the spring brings everyone such joy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan JohnsenOctober 1, 2013 at 9:56 AM

      Eileen - We do the same thing in Croton on Hudson, NY! One saturday morning every year we gather and plant daffodils to honor those lost in Sept 11, 2011. I commend the gardeners of Lodi, WI!

      Delete
  3. Terra October 5, 2013 at 1:08 PM

    Nice story and gardening can be like prayer or meditation and lift our spirits. I have a cement statue of Mary near a rose bush and call it my Mary garden, and I have a Buddha in our vegetable patch.

    ReplyDelete

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