Janet Gogerty's Blog: Sandscript - Posts Tagged "primulas"
Sandscript
Spring is here, or is it? Each year there is some confusion as to the official start. The weather people like to begin on March 1st; three calendar months for each season. Elsewhere it is claimed to start at the Spring Equinox, a date that varies each year. This year it is the 20th. Are day and night exactly the same length at this point? Apparently not, does day start as the sun peeps above the horizon or when the whole fiery ball is visible? Druids celebrate Alban Eilir at this time, 'The Light of The Earth'; they don't need to be told by a television presenter that there are signs of new life.
The blackbird starts singing at 4.47 a.m., seagulls are squawking on chimney pots and the daffodils have come out. But if you are still in doubt whether spring has arrived go to the your local garden centre.
At the first sign of sunshine keen gardeners are out in force, wheeling trollies between row after row of plants and shrubs. Trays full of tough primulas, cyclamen, heathers and violas are bought to fill baskets and tubs. If you are rich or lazy you can purchase hanging baskets and elegant pots filled to brimming with artistic arrangements; bright pinks and yellows set against trailing ivies. The first visit of the year gladdens the heart of any gardener and whichever spouse is not interested in gardening can be parked at the coffee shop.
Modern garden centres are not like the old nurseries that just sold plants. Our local family run business has steak pies as its best selling item. People go to garden centres for an outing, to meet friends for coffee or lunch, to browse in the gift shop. Seasonal celebrations do not often have much to do with plants. At Easter you can choose your cards, chocolate eggs and china egg cups. In summer a vast area is devoted not just to the traditional garden chairs, but to barbeques, giant parasols and water features. In autumn, all is swept away for the long run up to Christmas; decorations, lighting, Christmas trees living and fake, live reindeer in straw filled pens and a grotto for Father Christmas.
Early in the new year the cafe is still busy, people buy indoor plants and books on gardening. Behind the scenes, growers and greenhouses are busy getting ready for Spring again.
The blackbird starts singing at 4.47 a.m., seagulls are squawking on chimney pots and the daffodils have come out. But if you are still in doubt whether spring has arrived go to the your local garden centre.
At the first sign of sunshine keen gardeners are out in force, wheeling trollies between row after row of plants and shrubs. Trays full of tough primulas, cyclamen, heathers and violas are bought to fill baskets and tubs. If you are rich or lazy you can purchase hanging baskets and elegant pots filled to brimming with artistic arrangements; bright pinks and yellows set against trailing ivies. The first visit of the year gladdens the heart of any gardener and whichever spouse is not interested in gardening can be parked at the coffee shop.
Modern garden centres are not like the old nurseries that just sold plants. Our local family run business has steak pies as its best selling item. People go to garden centres for an outing, to meet friends for coffee or lunch, to browse in the gift shop. Seasonal celebrations do not often have much to do with plants. At Easter you can choose your cards, chocolate eggs and china egg cups. In summer a vast area is devoted not just to the traditional garden chairs, but to barbeques, giant parasols and water features. In autumn, all is swept away for the long run up to Christmas; decorations, lighting, Christmas trees living and fake, live reindeer in straw filled pens and a grotto for Father Christmas.
Early in the new year the cafe is still busy, people buy indoor plants and books on gardening. Behind the scenes, growers and greenhouses are busy getting ready for Spring again.
Sandscript
I like to write first drafts with pen and paper; at home, in busy cafes, in the garden, at our beach hut... even sitting in a sea front car park waiting for the rain to stop I get my note book out. We
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