What I Miss About Ireland - Daffodils

Daffodils! Why daffodils today? It's fall, not spring.

Did you know that fall is the time for planting daffodil bulbs.

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Daffodil Planting Season

I realize I am a little out of season talking about daffodils, but if you are planning to have a “host of golden daffodils” next spring, now is the time to plant.

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I love daffodils. They remind me of Ireland. There they flourish, turning up in unusual, wild places, not just in artificially, created gardens.

Daffodils grow and adorn American gardens too, but seldom in the same numbers seen in Ireland. In more Northern American states, winter is just too cold for these bulbs. Parts of Florida are too warm. Frost free living does not agree with daffodil bulbs.

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Spring in Ireland

Ireland's climate is just perfect for nurturing these golden warriors of spring. In March one year, I remember being greeted by a long row of daffodils in the road divide, as we drove to my parents' house from Dublin Airport. I paused to say a little prayer - “Thank you, Ireland, for a lovely spring welcome.”

Every autumn my Mom made a point of planting crocuses and daffodils with us. Here is a photo, where I am in the middle of helping in the garden.

We moved to Dallas, Texas in September 2000, buying a house without delay. I sometimes wondered if we had made the right decision. When spring time came around, I knew I was where I needed to be.

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Upon seeing a spiky, green leaf, poking through the earth, my heart stopped. I couldn't believe my eyes. My garden soon was a sea of beautiful daffodils. The previous owners had planted bulbs by the dozen.

Planting Daffodil Bulbs in Fall

And so this week I have decided to convert my Kentucky garden into a springtime wonderland (at least I am going to try anyway.). I figure the climate here should be just right for daffodils - mild fall, frosty winter, and a glorious spring.

I may be Irish, but I am afraid I didn't inherit my mother's green thumb. Perhaps, one can be cultivated, so in Backyard Tales I will recount my gardening efforts this year.

I consulted the Gardening with Kids website for daffodil planting instructions. A quick refresher course was definitely in order, my mother's childhood lessons fading away with the passing years.

First I loosened the soil. That was back breaking work.

Kentucky soil is far harder than I ever remembered Irish earth, or else I am just out of practice and out of shape. Let's blame the Kentucky soil, not my weak leg.

I added compost and mixed it through.

Then I dug little holes and set my bulbs in, pointy end up.

Then I re-covered them with soil and said a little prayer. Hopefully I will remember to water my precious bulbs.

Maybe every time I sit before my computer to check my blog, I will feel a twinge of guilt if I have forgotten to give them a drop of water.

I planned to take a photo standing by my flower bed, after all my planting was done. I was so puffed and red-faced after my efforts, I decided I had better let our two scarecrows be the models. "Tasha" and "Jack" are watching our daffodil bulbs carefully, or so my kids informed me. My little girl christened them.

So let's all keep our fingers crossed for my daffodils. I will share results photos once spring arrives. Please don't expect a Wordsworthian, worthy host. I will be quite happy with one or two flowers, to serenade me with yellow trumpets.

So if you are a daffodil lover, like me, it's time to get planting.

As inspiration to get gardening, I will leave you with Wordsworth's ever so famous lines:

Happy Gardening!!!

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