"In February, the gardener carries on with the jobs of January, especially in cultivating the weather. For you ought to know that February is a dangerous time, which threatens the gardener with black frosts, sun, damp, drought, and winds ; this shortest month, this addle-egg among the months, this aborted, leap and altogether unreliable month, excels them all with its wily tricks, therefore beware of it. During the day it wheedles out the buds out of the bushes, and at night it blisters them ; with one hand and it cajoles you, and with the other it makes you feel a fool. God only knows why in leap years one day is added, just to that wayward, catarrhal, sly, and stunted month ; in leap years one day should be added to the beautiful month of May, so that there there would be thirty-two, and all would be well. What have we gardeners done to deserve that?"
~ an extract from 'The Gardener's Year' - by Karel Čapek, 1890 - 1938.
At least we have snowdrops and other early flowers for some comfort and cheer this month. Much too wet to take any photographs this afternoon, so here's some snowdrops from last year's February garden.
Sums February right up, doesn't it Anna? We've been promised heavy rain and snow for 4 days on the bounce now - yet it's still fairly dry. I'm sure those forecasters just cover their ass!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a good summary of February Angie. I think that the forecasters have been much more cautious since the infamous Michael Fish forecast :)
DeleteIs there anywhere in the world to live where it is May all year?
ReplyDeleteMaybe not Jessica :)
DeleteFebruary already, yet my snowdrops still aren't out. I obviously haven't got any early varieties.
ReplyDeleteHope they get there soon Jo but you are further north which will delay the flowering time. You will have snowdrops when other people's are all done and dusted.
DeleteYou've brought a smile onto my face, Anna! I love Karel's writing. February has always been the longest month for me, but we'll get over it - I hope! Have a good week :)
ReplyDeleteGlad that I'm making you smile Annette. Hope that the week is treating you kindly.
DeleteI love Karel Capek's book. He has such a lovely turn of phrase. 'Catarrhal, sly and stunted' is brilliant. But the afternoons are getting lighter longer and we have snowdrops and Hellebores to entertain us.
ReplyDeleteA little less gloopy mud everywhere would be good though.
He certainly is a wordsmith Chloris. The snowdrops and hellebores are like rays of sunshine although as you say less of that gloopy mud would be an improvement. We've had enough!
DeleteSnowdrops do look great in big clumps like that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. They do look glorious when they have established.
DeleteThat is so very apt, February always tempts me to do do things I shoudl really leave until March. Wonderful snowdrop clumps. One day mine will look like that!!
ReplyDeleteFebruary can be a tease. Your snowdrops will be there before you know it Janet :)
DeleteOh Anna - this is not fair! Not only have you tempted me to order the Morville Year to follow on from the Morville Hours but you have teasingly thrown this book at me too!! :)
ReplyDeleteWell there's plenty of time for reading during these long dark nights Cathy :) I think that you would really love 'The Gardener's Year'.
DeleteThat quote is perfect! Yes, why not an extra day in May instead! I don't mind February so much - glad January is over though!
ReplyDeleteWell at least February is "only temporary" Cathy thank goodness. An extra day in May would be absolute bliss.
DeleteJust think though, if it was May all the time, we wouldn't have any snowdrops! Lovely picture.
ReplyDeleteNow that's all too true Pauline. I wouldn't want it to May all year round - well not really even though it's my favourite month but it would be nice to add that extra leap year day to May :)
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