Every fall I welcome the end of another gardening year because I need the rest. Last summer, I really welcomed the end because my vegetable garden had gotten away from me. Far, far away from me. Once I have dug up my dahlias and boxed them up, I am DONE.
I worked part-time over the summer while I interviewed for full-time jobs, and then unexpectedly (happily) found a full-time job in September - my first time working full-time since I had my first child twenty-five years ago. What an adjustment! For the first couple of months I wondered if I would be able to manage anything other than working and coming home to cook and clean (barely).
I decided that I am not going to grow all the vegetables that I've grown in the past. There are plenty of farm stands here in Western Massachusetts. I even contemplated giving many of my dahlia tubers away and just keeping ten. Like I could limit myself to 10 dahlias. I was just tired.
But God was very wise when He created the seasons because He knows all things need rest. After the rest comes new life. I felt that new life within me after the first dahlia catalogue appeared in my mailbox. Suddenly, I found energy to spend hours and hours searching the internet in my quest to find the most stunning dahlias.
I did enjoy caring for my potted herbs over the winter. They looked a little unhappy around Christmas, so I stuck them under my grow lights. I also enjoyed growing this lovely red amaryllis bulb. I've never grown these before. I brought it to work when it first started growing, and my coworkers seemed to enjoy watching the flower open into this spectacular bloom. Note to self: get more than one bulb next year.
I spent January ordering dahlia tubers, and the last couple of weeks choosing and ordering seeds. I love this part of the season. I'm growing mostly flowers this year. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be starting my lists: list of seeds, list of start dates, list of chores to do, list of things to buy, list of favorite sites, list of goals, list of mistakes, lists, lists, lists.
