Bloom Where You are Planted

This is what I tell my flowers – and myself - every spring

One of the things I think most Midwesterners do, without fail, is wait for spring to arrive. Yes, we wait. And wait. And then we wait some more. Granted, there are folks who love the winter, cold, and snow, but don’t count me among them. Nope. From the time I put my garden to bed as late as possible in the fall, I look forward to the spring day when it wakes up. Because I can’t wait to get back out there, clean up those garden beds, and head to the plant nursery, I find myself diligently crossing off those winter days one by one. (I feel the same way about baseball, but that’s another story.)

So while “bloom where you are planted” is good life advice, it’s also the advice I give my plants when they finally pop up through the dark earth of winter or when I’m giving new flowers a cozy home in the containers around my house.

When I think we finally – maybe – please – have had the last snow (and many times Mother Nature gives us one final surprise zing) I head out to the plant stores in search of pansies. They are the first to arrive at the nurseries, sometimes appearing as early as March. And this year, I had the best surprise: My birthday falls right in the middle of March. And in Iowa the middle of March means basketball, a teasing peek at spring, and snowstorms! Every year! But this year, my birthday happened to land on a beautiful day, and the nurseries had pots of pansies, so I hightailed it right over there and got myself a beautiful spring-y birthday present!

The first flowers of spring at my house and a delightful birthday gift to myself!

So when I’ve finally convinced myself that Mother Nature is done playing tricks on us, I collect the lists of flowers I’ve created over all those non-gardening days of winter, and off I go to the nurseries. And it’s magic! The colors, the scents, the possibilities of floral combinations running through my head…it’s all stunning.

I search to find all the plants on my lists and - every gardener will confess to this – throw in some extra beauties that I’ve decided I just cannot live without. Then I pack the back of the car, and sometimes the back seats, and sometimes the front seat, and head home to begin one of the rituals of springtime in Iowa. Planting flowers!

Waiting in line to be planted in their new container homes.

Because I want my flowers to bloom where they’re planted, I carefully follow the notes on my lists regarding sun/shade requirements and consider just where the containers will sit on the deck or front porch. Once everything is sorted out according to that info, and I’ve created the color combinations that make me happy, it’s time to dig in. Literally. I drag out the ginormous bags of potting soil, the empty containers, my gloves, trowel, and most importantly – the spongy pad for my knees. This last one is a very important item, as it takes me quite a few hours to get everything planted. But it is a labor of love, as I enjoy the time alone with my plants and the fresh soil. And then it is done! I place the containers in their appropriate places so I can just sit back and enjoy their beauty. One of my favorite things all summer long is the time I spend in the early evening checking in on those plants and giving them a good long drink of water.

Some of the containers around my home.

I have a neighbor who, when we’re both out in our yard at the same time, comments on how much she likes my gardens and planters. I asked her once if she would like to start her own flower garden, and she said, “Oh no, I’d much rather just sit back and enjoy the beauty that comes from all of your hard work.” Ha! Gave me my chuckle for the day. But for me it’s not hard work, it fills my heart with joy. And I get extra joy knowing that others are finding beauty in what I’ve done.

My garden starting to come to life in the spring!

When the world is just too much, and even when it isn’t, I go out to the garden and talk to my flowers. I tell them how gorgeous they are, how they brighten our little corner of the planet, I encourage the ones that are struggling a bit – “c’mon, you can do it” – and I tell them how happy they make me. Sometimes I just sit in silence on the deck and look at all the flowers, finding peace in their very existence.

Even though sometimes we, just as the flowers do, have to push through a lot of weeds, may we all bloom where we are planted, find joy for ourselves, and try to provide some joy for others.

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I also write a Substack column entitled Grandma’s Recipe Box, a place where we can all share treasured family recipes and the stories behind them. I believe these recipes help make us who we are and bring back memories like nothing else can. I publish my own family recipes but also invite readers to join in and share theirs. Who knows? Your recipe gem may become a treasure for another family.

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