Valentine's Daze
Seed catalogs gone through, tools sharpened; nothing to do but wait for the rain to end. Can't prune, can't plant. Rhythmic rain causes the mind to wander a bit, so off a meandering course we go.
These recent 2 weeks are a quizzical mix of natural phenomena, odd cultural traditions and superstitions. First we start with Groundhog Day when a woodchuck pokes his head out of a hole somewhere in Pennsylvania, 3000 miles away. Puxsatauney Phil sees his shadow; we are in for 6 more weeks of winter. Well here we are; he must have consulted El Nino, his West Coast agent, to get the job done because we have been beaten into the ground with pelting rains. On Friday we have "Friday the 13th", the good-luck, bad-luck day, depending on how you look at things. And on that ominous day, we are out preparing for the next day, February 14th, Valentines Day. And, indeed, if you do not find a gift from the heart to present to your loved one on Valentines Day, you may get a retroactive Friday the thirteenth whammy for committing such a faux pas. In the midst of all of this we have President's Day. Well, a lot could be said on that subject, but it's probably best to stay away from that one this year.
Between weather fronts you may want to run out and get packets of lettuce seeds, broccoli, cauliflower, and strawberry sets, because these crops are all under water, or the fields are too wet to be planted. Last years floods cost farmers $297 million and in 1995, $650 million. We end up paying at the checkout stand for these natural disasters. It may be time to start thinking about a remake on the old Victory gardens- a Millenium garden, (I know it's a couple years too early, but you'll want to catch the Millenium wave). The new Millenium gardens will be insurance against natural disasters. A larder for leaner times.
Valentines Day is hearts and flowers. $700 million dollars will be spent on flowers, $900 million on cards, and $709 million on other gifts. Expert surveys advise sticking with the traditional gifts. Flowers are most frequently given as gifts by men, candy a close second and thirdly a card. The only other acceptable gift is a gift certificate at the recipient's favorite store. Beware the Friday 13th back lash if you present your honey with an egg timer, or a new weed whacker. Eighty four percent of women surveyed and 73% of men said a gift certificate was a desired gift. Women mostly give cards and candy. Men are the biggest spenders on this day however, spending $119.00 on gifts for wives and girlfriends; women spend on the average, $56.00 on husbands and children, so says the trade group International Mass Retail Assoc. So men, after you go to the candy counter, take some extra precaution, and stop by to pick up a bouquet of flowers, or better yet a growing flowering plant, a card, with lots of mushy sentiments, AND a gift certificate to her most favorite store. Roses and tulips are always appreciated, as are orchids, baskets of cyclamen, primrose, violets and pansies. Presentation counts! A bow or ribbon, rather than the white paper funnel with the supermarket price sticker still stuck to it makes a much stronger impression on the intended one. A bouquet of roses with a card tucked into the foliage, plus a bareroot rose for her to plant into the garden will surely warm her heart. On the card, penned in your hand, a line of verse to express how your "love continues to grow long past when the first blooms have dropped their petals" will be a success. I guarantee it! A fruit tree will work as well- "each blossom and peach will remind me of the many fruitful and loving years we have had together"." You are the apple of my eye." It will get her- I promise. Ladies, this works for the gardening men in your life too.
Friday the thirteenth and the number 13 had inspired a few superstitious gardeners. In San Jose, the Winchester mansion is surrounded by a beautiful garden with statues of Mother Nature, Cupid, cherubs and repetitive groupings of 13. Thirteen California Fan Palms line the front driveway. The number 13 is a Fibonacci number, named after Leonardo Fibonacci of Pisa who lived in 13th century Italy. Fibonacci numbers are generated by adding together the two previous numbers in the sequence. 1+1=2, 2 +1=3, 3 + 2=5 + 3=8, 8 + 5= 13- etc. An interesting garden layout can be made for the superstitious, or lovers of the number 13, and the use of Fibonacci numbers. They lay out to an interesting pattern. Start by making two 1by1 foot gardens side by side, contiguous to each other. Then make a 2X2 foot patch contiguous to the 2-foot side formed by the other two squares. Place a 3X3-foot plot adjoining the 3-foot side made by the other 3 squares. Next to this make a 5X5-foot garden patch contiguous to the 5-foot side of the other four squares. Make a 8X8 foot bed and place it contiguous to the side that is now 8 feet long made by the other five squares. Lastly, make a bed 13X13 and place it abutting the 13-foot side formed by the 6 other squares. You end up with a Fibonacci garden ending with number 13, using seven squares that will be 11X21 feet.
The rain will end. In the mean time, pick a holiday. There's something for everyone, the superstitious, the patriotic, the lovers and the weather watchers. One thing for sure is there's not much gardening going on. But, be sure next Saturday, you plant one thing, a big kiss on your sweetie's cheek.
Carol de Maintenon is a member of Garden Writers of America and owner of Benicia Garden & Nursery.
