My Get Up And Go Got Up And Went

Category: Garden | Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 2:04 pm

Oh, dear, what a winter we've had. :( It's been very wet, we've had a little snow and lots of snowless frost, and plants have died all over the place.

Last winter was very hard frost-wise, and we lost so many of our darlings. Several others were severely decimated but managed to squeak through.

Last year's summer was a disaster. It was wet and cold. We had a few carrots, and nothing else. The blooms were ruined almost as soon as they opened up, if they managed to open at all. The weeds had the run of the place since I feel I've gotten too old to garden in all sorts of weather. I did that in my 20's and up to mid-30's, but since then I haven't managed to get dressed in thick rain gear and go out there, bar to fertilize.

So we thought we would have a better winter this year since it started out so mild. We didn't take into account that the snow we didn't get in December, January and February decided to appear in late March, spread out through April and ended in early May, complete with frost of course.

I seriously considered giving up gardening altogether. I felt I couldn't take the heartbreak of discovering heirloom plants and rare, expensive ones that had rotted or frozen to death anymore. The feeling of not managing to keep the weeds at bay, of not getting projects finished and just being sorry for all the beauties that never managed to grow beautiful. Oh, yes, I had the blues big time!

Then, after a snowfall during the last days of March I took a stroll outside to do a body count. Again. As I walked about I thought I could hear humming. I stopped to listen, and tried to figure out which direction the humming came from.

As I drew nearer to the sound I thought I could figure out the tune. "Who's humming an Elton John hit in my garden?" I wondered. Then all of a sudden I discovered it:

Helleborus tibeticum ( photo / image / picture from Droopy's Garden )

Poor little hellebore! Almost completely snowed under, looking very sorry for itself. The humming grew a bit stronger and I could clearly hear the words: "I'm still standing! Yeah, yeah, yeah!" *lol*

So I'm back in the garden, whining and moaning about lost plants, decimated darlings and slug-munched sprouts, and when I feel it's all getting too much I straighten up and sing a little song: "I'm still standing! Yeah, yeah, yeah!"

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toni wrote on Sat May 19, 2012 2:45 pm:

Oh, Droopy, I do know how you feel. Our weather was the opposite of yours, hot and extremely dry and a real plant killer.

Spring does give us hope for a good gardening season. I hope yours is filled with beautiful, lush plants.

Jewell wrote on Sat May 19, 2012 4:30 pm:

Glad you are coming back around. I've missed your posts. Don't give up hope Droppy! You have introduced me to so many different plants that I didn't know existed. I've added some of those to my garden :) I'd personally love it if you reposted some of those gems. I'm sure they would spur me on and keep me going too. As I've entered my 6th decade I understand how weather starts to slow one down, but so does the heat lol. Guess I better get out there and conquer the 3 foot weeds in my front yard.

Droopy wrote on Sat May 19, 2012 5:34 pm:

Toni, I do wish we could swap a piece of weather and we might both be fine. :D

Jewell, you're too kind! *blowing kisses* I don't know which gems you would love to see again, but I guess you'll find them in "My Garden". I think most of the plants I've posted is there somewhere.

We've got some new ones too, and I'll share them as soon as I get time.

We've got spring weather outside, you see! *wide grin*

Sjoerd wrote on Sun May 20, 2012 12:41 am:

Well, that musical seranade was worth the wait, Droopy. I would have paid for tickets.
I know what you mean about the losses. I have lost quite a few things here as well this winter.

Well, it looks like the worst is over, so we can begin to see so0me improvements now I hope. The temps here finally got up into the 20's today. It was lovely.
Seeing that Helleborus tibeticum of yours gave me the shivers. Burrrr. I am trying to forget images like that. hahaha.

It is so good to see you back on here. I hope that you will have some pics to show and some interesting texts to write.

Welcome back.

Frank wrote on Sun May 20, 2012 6:02 am:

Very glad to see this blog entry Droopy as I was just thinking of you a few days back!
I never knew plants could sing.

Netty wrote on Sun May 20, 2012 11:59 am:

So glad to see you back Droopy!
The weather has me down too ... our 'usual' April showers didn't come so our May flowers are few - and thirsty! My beloved Lilac's are small and sparse due to a late frost, and the ground is so dry it's like dust. Small chance of rain in tomorrows forecast so I'll be outside doing a rain dance tonight.
But I know, when I come to the Stew, there will be someone who is sharing their lush, beautiful gardens and it makes it all worth it :)

Kay wrote on Mon May 21, 2012 12:47 am:

Hi there Droopy! I'm hoping your weather improves and the gardening WILL GO ON!
I wonder if any of my plants know any Elton John.

Cayuga Morning wrote on Mon May 21, 2012 1:08 am:

I am smiling at your spirit!

Droopy wrote on Mon May 21, 2012 11:48 am:

Hello all, I'm so touched by your comments, and your kind words slowly brings my get-up-and-go back too. We've got two-digit temps today! :D On the plus-side I should add. *lol* I'm just inside to cool down and have some lunch, and it's back outside and play in the dirt again.