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Winter flowers give their all

© Gay Klok

WINTER TIME, THE GIVING TIME

"Oh! To be somewhere else now that Winter's here"

Wrong! Or at least in the cool temperate climate of Tasmania that is quite erroneous. Now is the time for giving and sharing. We have time to share thoughts, time to share knowledge and time for the garden. Now we can have a good look at the bones of our Eden. We may look at the shapes of the beds, the meanderings of the paths, the beauty of the bare limbs of the deciduous tree and be thankful for the solid beauty of the evergreen Conifers

I am going to put on my Japara [the famous short or long oil skin coats used by all sensible Australian and New Zealand gardeners] forget the arthritis and get stuck into the compost heap. I will make a lovely mixture of the composted soil and pine chips and pinebark. I will smell that deep, dark smell of the good earth of Winter time, I will not be sorry that I wake up the worms for a little while before placing them into their permanent home and I will be contented because I am giving to the garden. The garden has pleasured me for many months of the year and now it will be my turn to return the favour.

I may also find time to visit the Nurseries again {Did I hear Kees mumble, "Not more plants?" [Never mind!] and curl up in an armchair before an open fire and read the gardening books that were given to me for Christmas. I may even find the time to put on a few more pounds in weight. [Never mind!] And, most wonderful of all, time for my grownup children. When we lived in Canada and were snowed under for many weeks, I enjoyed myself immensely, visiting friends and having basement parties in the cold months. I found Winter in a severe climate a great time to gather and communicate with your family and friends. I do not think that Kees enjoyed cleaning the driveway every morning but is trying to outdo it with the more subtle scent that reminds you of far Eastern romantic episodes of your girlhood dreams. Every time I go back to the house from the garden, these two are waving their scent at me as I walk up to the door. I find myself always giving them a smile of thanks

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