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The concept of elders in society is one in which I've always been interested. Having spent my professional life working with seniors I can tell you nursing homes are an untapped resource of wisdom.
Over the last year I've been seeking out elders in my new community for gardening advice. I picked up these gems from someone I'm beginning to consider my go to gal. She is completely in tune with her environment, I wouldn't be surprised to see roots peeking out from the toes of her wellies.
Her advice is particular to our area in the PNW but it would seem to make sense wherever you are located. With spring coming late for many of us, taking us well past our usual planting times, I thought the following might be helpful.
Let Nature be your guide when planting.
Let Nature be your guide when planting.
If the seed packet says:
"As early as the ground can be worked": When the soil is dry enough to turn over and break up into bits fine enough to plant seeds in.
"In early spring when temperatures are cool" or "Two to four weeks after the last frost date": Watch for the blooming time of your first dandelions in your yard.
"When all danger of frost has past": A good indicator is when nearby lilacs start to bloom.
Keep a diary of what, when, and where you planted then review for next year. Also note the seed company for product comparison.
In the spirit of passing on our knowledge the winner of the Sq Ft Gardening With Kids is Pam at Pam's English Cottage Garden. She lives in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and has a wildlife certified garden.
"As early as the ground can be worked": When the soil is dry enough to turn over and break up into bits fine enough to plant seeds in.
"In early spring when temperatures are cool" or "Two to four weeks after the last frost date": Watch for the blooming time of your first dandelions in your yard.
"When all danger of frost has past": A good indicator is when nearby lilacs start to bloom.
Keep a diary of what, when, and where you planted then review for next year. Also note the seed company for product comparison.
In the spirit of passing on our knowledge the winner of the Sq Ft Gardening With Kids is Pam at Pam's English Cottage Garden. She lives in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and has a wildlife certified garden.
Lilacs are everywhere at the moment, here in the UK. Hope that is a good sign.
ReplyDeleteWe had a huge old lilac beside our farmhouse when I was a child. I always looked forward to it blooming.
DeleteThis is good advice. Connecting planting times to bloom times such as lilacs make it so much easier to remember the best time to do stuff. Sometimes I forget and feel like I'm winging it.
ReplyDeleteI felt out of control in a new location, this little piece of wisdom has steadied my nerves.
DeleteYou know...my grandmother who is 92 is in a nursing home and I feel, like you, that there is so much to learn from the elderly. I try to absorb as much as possible from people that are older than me and this garden advice is just fantastic! I love the idea of looking for the first dandelion. I will be applying this advice to my garden...thank you!!! Have a great week! And a big congrats to the winner!!! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteWe're just a little higher than Victoria and therefore a little colder. I enjoyed those bits of wisdom you shared from your new friends - our lilacs are still tightly in bud - a good indication of where we are at, planting-wise.
ReplyDeleteI agree that elders are an untapped resource and these are wonderful pearls of wisdom for planting...thanks for these.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest problem is patience - I am so eager to get things in the ground after a long winter, that I tend to push the envelope, so to say. I will watch my lilacs instead. :)
ReplyDelete