Catching up

I should be planting bulbs

but I'm late.

I'd like to be the sort of gardener who 

can listen to exploding fireworks, 

smug in the knowledge that hundreds of narcissi,

tulips, and alliums  

have long since been interred in pots, lawn and borders.  

Sadly there won't be any hyacinths flowering indoors

for Christmas because I didn't force them in time

and I haven't even received my Paperwhites yet.

I'm going to have to plant these with more support this year

as artfully balancing them on pebbles

has more than once resulted in an unwieldy mass

of toppling foliage.

I have got a few sprouting crocuses and muscari.

Sarah Raven advised planting crocuses in a sunny spot

to encourage them to open fully.

The shyest of our visiting cats pinpointed

the ideal position under a silver birch

visible from the kitchen window.

By the time I got out there,

he'd skedaddled.

Let's hope the squirrels weren't watching where I put them.