"One says October, one says Nature lies down to sleep ; the gardener knows better, and will tell you that October is as good as month as April. You ought to know that October is the first spring month, the month of underground germination and sprouting, of hidden growth , of swelling buds ; scratch a little into the ground and you will find buds ready made, thick as your thumb, fragile shoots and straggling roots - I can't help you, Spring is here ; go out, gardener, and plant (but be careful that you don't cut with the spade a sprouting narcissus bulb)"
~ an extract from 'The Gardener's Year' - by Karel Čapek, 1890 - 1938.
I'm not sure whether October is really the new April but oh what a positive attitude towards the first month of autumn. Now working to get myself into that mindset.
Thanks for the warning but I've already did the slice the bulb trick once or twice this week Anna. I tell myself each year that I should mark where the bulbs are. I don't have that many that it would be a big job - but do I do it? NO!
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice thought isn't it. Spring waiting, just under the soil.
ReplyDeleteI remember you saying before that autumn is the start of a new gardening year. Given that I'm already planning my garden and what to grow for next year (even with winter veg growing), I have to agree. It makes it a bit like those diaries that run from mid-year where January is just a tiny hiccup on the road to summer.
ReplyDeletePS. I hope that's a photo from last spring and not a current snap from your garden!
Nice, such a positive thing to read :)
ReplyDeleteSpot on. October is like the beginning of spring. I cut the lawns yesterday. They were as vibrant and green as in May. We're having a particularly mild month. 27c yesterday, cooler for a few days and then into the mid twenties again.
ReplyDeleteI just can't see it myself. All that comes to mind in October are the cold months stretching ahead. Can you tell I'm a summer girl?
ReplyDeleteNice image and text, Anna! What a nice thought - I like it :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I quite agree, but October is a beautiful month and more colorful than spring. I do think of spring, however, as I'm planting bulbs and yes, I've dug into a narcisssus or two while digging:)
ReplyDeleteIn my part of Italy October really feels like spring (in drought years even more than this year). the ground is still very warm, there is usually some rain - it is the only sensible time to plant. The grass grows again and becomes green. So it is very easy for me to agree with Karel Capek.
ReplyDeleteI love this book Anna, it is a little gem. I particularly like the chapter on going on holiday in August and entrusting your garden to the care of a friend It is so funny and oh dear, there is a lot of truth to it.
ReplyDeleteI don' t know why this little book by Karel Capek isn' t better known.
Sounds a great book - I will ask at the library if they can get it. I love seeing all the buds ready for spring. Autumn is so colourful, fruitful and full of promise.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look the book up although I am trying to cut down on gardening books they do seem to keep filling the bookshelves. Some daff bulbs that I planted for pots indoors are already sprouting - an early sign of things to come.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I love this writer, Anna, he never fails to cheer me up and he's right about everything. Guess we'll all end up as wise as him...or hopefully anyway! Happy gardening, Annette :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for that, as I found it ridiculously comforting. I really feel depressed at this time of year, as all around plants are dying off, as the garden settles to sleep, but I will hold that thought that October is the beginning of the next season, and that, beneath the soil, there are the makings of spring.
ReplyDeleteHere too as we are now putting the garden to bed and letting new seed germinate.
ReplyDeleteI do like the sentiment, but there again I am one of those annoying people who love autumn anyway...
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