Saturday, November 7, 2009

Red Sky At Night...Tulip's Delight?

I looked out yesterday evening and saw this beautiful sunset. I seem to be looking to the sky a lot lately....
What is it they say? Red sky at night, sailor's delight. This proved to be true and it was a beautiful day. I awoke early after a good night's sleep and was surprised to find that some of the gloom had lifted. I had energy to do more than simply make it through the day.



It is November... and I do have bulbs that need to go into the ground. So I gathered my one hundred and fifty tulip bulbs and eighty daffodil bulbs along with the new bulb planting tool that was a gift. I did not forget my kneeling pad. I was prepared! I looked at all the dead marigold plants that lie directly in the path of the wind and decided to go ahead and pull them all up to make the planting a little easier. A couple of the plants were still blooming and I left them to see if I could get a few more blooms to enjoy..... and they were alive with bees. It was 75 degrees here today.


So with a fresh slate I grab my handy dandy bulb digger and prepare to begin. How hard could it be? You shove the thing into the soil and pull the dirt up and release it, put the bulb in and then put the soil on top. Easy. I kneel on my knee saver and push my gadget into the ground.... then I gave it more power..... then I put both hands on the top and pushed with all my might and wiggled it and finally had it as deep as necessary. I pull it up with some difficulty and try to dislodge the dirt. I tap the devise and pull the little handle and the dirt remains lodged inside like a huge gob of peanut butter with glue in it. I try tapping it against a rock and finally pick up a good sturdy stick and jam it into the mucky clay like soil and finally loose it. I carefully choose a tulip and wonder what color it will be I place it pointed side up in the hole and then add a little layer of soil, then top it with a daffodil and top it off with the rest of the soil.


Two down, 228 to go. Hmmmm. Maybe I simply haven't mastered this new tool... but wait I had one similar to it before and never had this much trouble. Could it be the soil and all the rain? Maybe. But, I am determined. I get 14 more bulbs in the ground and I am exhausted. I go inside and grab a cold drink. I get a fire going in the bonfire pit to take care of all the dead branches and plants I have removed. I rake a little. But I am really determined to get these in the ground. Much to my relief Deb comes up, bucket in hand...... is she here to help? Not so much. She was sick all last week and she is looking not so good. She offers the bucket to me and says that she only got 6 of hers in the ground. She wonders if we should just hire someone to put them in.... What is wrong with her? She really is sick!


She did bring this tool that looks like a giant fat nail. You can shove this bad boy in with one hand and ream out a good sized hole with no soil to unclog. I am happy to report that although every muscle in my body hurts like hell I successfully planted all 230 bulbs!! I will confess that I had thoughts of just throwing them on the ground and buying potting soil and covering them. I even thought of tossing them in the compost bin and rescuing them in the spring. Mostly I thought of tossing them in the dumpster, but I could never do something that wasteful. They had better come up!








20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Of course I have to comment...I made it home and now I am sick from all parts of my body...but I feel really bad you put all those bulbs in the ground...I really liked the idea of paying someone to do that...hahahaha!!!! Anyway sorry I came home on you but I'll be better by next weekend...can you save some of the bulbs for me to plant so next spring I can feel some satisfaction... hope you don't get sick...xoxo

Carol said...

I have TWO of those bulb planters, one with very short handle, and one with very long handle. The short handle one is, basically, useless. Do not try to plant bulbs with the long handled one just after a breast biopsy. Ask me how I know, nahhhhhh, you got it all figured out. BTW, the long handled one works marginally better than the short handled one, biopsy or no.

Sandi McBride said...

I love my bulb setter...I got in when we lived in England and Mac has replaced the handle three times, but the Sheffield Forged steal goes on and on...my bulbs are ready to go in, too and its time I saw to it! Hope you had a good relaxing soak in the tub before bed. Your Red Sky at night is glorious.
Sandi

luksky said...

Beautiful sunset!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

That sunset is spectacular and I understand so much why you are looking at the sky so much these days. I did it when my parents died - you just sort of wander off in thought and wonder if they are up there looking down. Thanks for the reminder to plant my bulbs I have a sack load in the garage to get done although after your efforts I think I'll get himself to do it!

Boozy Tooth said...

That sounds like A LOT of work. On the other hand, the reward will come in Spring, just when you need it. Congratulations on a job well done.

I wouldn't have had the patience. I'm too lazy!

Vodka Mom said...

holy COW that is a LOT of bulb planting.


x

Rae said...

Sounds like you are going to be achy today. I bet it felt good though being out and busy like that. It sort of helps to ease the mind some. I am glad to hear that you are doing okay. I know it is still difficult. Gorgeous sunset photos.

ellen abbott said...

I'd have persevered too. And won't they be lovely in spring!

We had a spectacular sunset last night.

Missy said...

Good golly, I would have never guessed when reading that you were going to say you got them all done. I bet you are taking Advil today. Soemthing like that makes me hate yard work, but I bet you feel good just getting it doen. I expect photos next Spring!

squawmama said...

Wow what a lot of work that sounds like but I am sure you & your guest will enjoy the view next year... Hope your not in too much pain though... Beautiful picture of the sunset! Have a Blessed Sunday my friend.

(((HUGS)))
Donna

SkippyMom said...

AWESOME JOB! I can't wait until spring to see them all come up! So pretty.

I was telling my husband how nice y'all keep the campground and how great the pics you share with us are.

Now take a hot bath and relax. :)

Karen said...

Loved your story - sounds what I go through with the hard clay soil in my yard. NO GOOD! Be sure to post pics next year when it's all up and blooming, and looking incredible!

Unknown said...

We both seem to be on the same page...loved your post and glad you stuck with it and got it done. That is what I am doing as well, although the planting part occurred more than 6 weeks ago...now I just have to wait for my little surprise to keep on growing.

Love you and sending you hugs.

Pat said...

Your efforts will be well worth it next spring - You'll have to take photos and post them so we can all enjoy your hard work! I never heard of planting two bulbs in one hole (one on top of another). How does that work? Does the daffodil bloom first, and the tulip grows around it?

Hubby should have given you a TOTAL body massage! :)

Hootin Anni said...

I'm here to visit the first time I do believe. I came here from the comments on Donna's blog [Tassie --squawmama]

What incredible beauty in your two photos!! I'm speechless. [I have a photo of a flower blooming right now as I type...it too is from a 'bulb']

Nice to meet you. Hope someday soon, you can stop by for a visit.

Brian Miller said...

beautiful pics...230 bulbs! i think i would have given up before i began!

Vodka Mom said...

your comment today touched my heart. My heart is broken for your family.

I am sending you comforting prayers and thoughts.
xoxoxoxox

Karen said...

Hi Kathy, I nominated your blog for the Kreativ Blogger award - you can pick it up at AncestorSoup! Thanks for some great reading.

labbie1 said...

I can't wait to see the tulips and daffies on the way through in April! I imagine they will be glorious! One more thing to look forward to in spring! Be sure to take plenty of pics.

As spring revitalizes these dead bulbs with it's warmth, may we all revitalize your spirits and make them soar with the warmth of our friendship!

Tell Drew Hi for me! :)