Kent gave me a beautiful Garden Journal for Christmas. (Thank you, honey!) Of course, I will continue to make notes in my muddy notebook that I take with me as I garden, but this journal only will record the successes and outstanding beauty of my gardens. Sometimes, I have to wonder if this is a fiction or non-fiction record of my efforts, but who would argue with this gardening grandma? I can’t wait for spring to see the new additions to my early spring gardens, but I am having fun with my latest attempt at indoor gardening, with notes going in my journal, needless to say.
I have always wanted to grow saffron, but the bulbs are hard to find and even trickier to grow. A couple years ago, I found some packages of saffron crocus at a local nursery hanging on the wall with all the other bulbs- daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, etc. I was skeptical, because the planting directions said to plant in July and August for fall bloom and it was already October. I was also surprised to see that the USDA hardiness zone was 6-10. We are in Zone 5, so why were they even offered to us as it gets too cold for them here? Undaunted, as many gardeners are, I planted them anyway and marked the spot so I wouldn’t forget about them. All that ever appeared were a few shoots of grass-like foliage-no flowers, no saffron threads to pick. But this past fall when I was in Carbondale, I again saw the bulbs at a nursery that was similar to the one I frequent and the bulbs were in an identical display. Willing to try again, I bought some. But this time I planted them in pots and put them under my grow light in the house. Ta Da! I have saffron in bloom and I was able to harvest the saffron “threads!” Now I am waiting for them to complete their growth cycle, still under the lights, and then they will go to the garage for their winter’s nap until they can summer outside.
In my new journal there are many quotes and one of January’s is, from an anonymous source, “The lesson I have thoroughly learned, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden brings.”
I have thought that many, many times and hope that you find happiness in your garden.
The Naperville Garden Club offers scholarships to local students pursuing degrees that reflect the interests of the garden club. Applications are on our website, napervillegardenclub.org, and due February 1, 2020.
Interested in joining the Naperville Garden Club? Contact our membership chairman, White Eagle’s own Gale Glawe at (630) 212-9560. New members are always welcome!
