Gardening

Today, I cut some mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon, roses, ferns, and a branch of calamondin (also known as Philippine lemon). I arranged them informally in a cup of cold water, and gave the bouquet to a neighbor.

Just as herbs add flavor to a dish while cooking, herbs also add richness to a flower bouquet. Herbs were once commonly put into flower arrangements and bridal wreaths. You can use whatever herbs you have on hand when gathering garden cuttings for an indoor bouquet. Cut what strikes your fancy, and place the stems in a jar or vase inside your home. Your bouquet will help clean the air, help lower your blood pressure, and help brighten up your room.

June

“June is busting’ out all over/ All over the meadow and the hill / Buds’re bustin’ out of bushes / And the rompin’ river pushes / Every little wheel that wheels beside a mill.” – Rodgers & Hammerstein, “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” from Carousel

April and May

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TS Eliot wrote in “The Waste Land” that April was the cruelest month, breeding / Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing / Memory and desire, stirring / Dull roots with spring rain.” In the Waste Land, we are told that winter’s cold helps us forget, but April arrives with painful promises. Spring is a stark contrast to the one who is despairing; how difficult for those who cannot fathom what it means to bloom when all around life is teeming.

Rebirth can be an outgrowth of pain. Most of us will have to face traumatic events in our lifetimes – divorce, the loss of a job, a serious health diagnosis, the death of one we loved – but we can come back stronger and better people. We can be rebuilt. Though we will not bounce back to who we were or what once was, we can transform ourselves and our lives into messages of hope. New beginnings can be born of the core-shaking events and moments of our lives. We can become people of May.

March

There are many plants that can be used to create beautiful container gardens. Do you want to plant one for the spring season, or for a more permanent display? Do you want to focus on one color in your planter, or many? What type of sunlight will the container receive? The answers to these questions will help guide your decisions on what to plant. Using herbs like purple sage and chives in with flowers adds a lovely depth of texture in your planter, so be sure to browse the herb section of your local nursery as you consider what to plant. I’ll be planting a container of hot datil peppers this year, and I’m very excited. Though cultivated throughout the United States, the majority of these seriously hot peppers are grown in Saint Augustine, Florida. In regions to the north, some of the best plants for spring containers are flowering bulbs like daffodils and tulips. Pairing them with small evergreens add structure, color, and balance.

February

There are over 260 species of camellia. Some camellia will bloom in October, but most flowers will appear in January or February. Mine blossom in February and happily continue blooming through April. Though camellia’s are very popular in the American south, they are native to southeast Asia. Some camellia leaves are grown and harvested for tea.

January

Cool-weather annuals such as snapdragons, petunias, and pansies start to make an appearance at the end of January in Florida gardens. One can also start to plant cold crops such as carrots, collards, lettuce, onion, and kale. Our orange trees, lemons, tangerines and kumquats will need a bit of fertilizer now, but one must always be careful not to over feed. There is still a danger of frost in January, but spring is on its way!

January is a time for renewal, a time to begin again. – Theresa

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December

When winter’s darker days leave us wanting sunshine, reach for some edible sunshine in citrus fruits. “Citrus” refers to rind-bearing fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. Growing citrus in my backyard is one of the perks of living in Florida. The trees produce wonderfully fragrant flowers as well as delicious fruits. Fortunately, citrus fruits can be found in most locations in the winter, whether fresh, frozen, or canned. Their bright colors, juicy flavors, and good-for-you nutrients help make the winter season a blessing. Let us grow our happy places no matter where we stand, and let us keep our faces to what brings us peace.

“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” – Shelley, Ode to the West Wind

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November

Fall is upon us, and now is the time to clean, weed, and fertilize our gardens. Spread fresh mulch after cleaning up the garden, and add some mulch around trees and shrub bases to give protection from the coming colder temperatures. Shrubs like hydrangeas and azaleas can be trimmed or cut back now, and hoses should be disconnected and stored away in the colder climes to the north.