Let the flowers come to the funeral.

We mourners need to see their up-turned, shining faces.

While our heads are bowed out of respect and sadness.

We need them to brighten this darkness.

We need their ribbons and tags.

So that we can read the names of the people moved by his passing.

We need roses and mums, lilies and glads

to add scent to the hushed air.

Let them line up at the altar and surround the tent.

In lieu of chicken and biscuits,

In lieu of casseroles and pound cakes,

In lieu of a check to the church,

SEND IN THE FLOWERS.

To stand like sentries over the plot after the mourners leave,

Making the grave look like a garden.

In memory of my precious cousin Mark Bayzik, who died yesterday.

No, this is not going to be a rant against Monsanto.  I won’t even go there.

I am sharing my methods for saving seeds of annuals, biennials and perennials.

I do this to have more plants, keep “heirloom” plants going, share seeds, and avoid buying annuals’ seeds every year.

I will demonstrate with some poppies that were given to me by a dear, artist friend, Bill Troutman.

He is no longer around, but every spring these poppies take my breath away with their beauty.

Poppy Pods

Once the pods are brown, the holes around the crown will open. Shake some seeds out onto a piece of paper with the name of the flower written on it. This labels the inside of the seed packet.  I do this to avoid that “What is This?” issue if I forget to write the name on the outside of the folded paper.

I do this on a box lid to avoid losing seeds in the process. I have multiple sheets of paper in it, so I can walk around the yard collecting different seeds at the same time. It’s also handy for carrying the roll of tape and the marker.

Then fold up the paper and tape it up. Then write the name again on the outside.

I sow these poppy seeds in November.

Some other seeds I save in June are foxglove and columbine.

Now,  share some seeds with your gardening friends.

They make great hostess gifts for garden parties. Just add a photo and bow and wah lah!!!   Future flowers.

Follow the Flower!

White flowers pop in shady spots. They never clash with other colors. They even show up at night.

Here are some of my favorites.

Follow the Flower!

Just because you aren’t out enjoying your garden at night, does not mean it is empty.

Here are some of our neighbors who prefer the darkness.

Some silently creep along the ground, some climb trees leaving a shiny trail behind, while others are loudly calling their friends to come to a pond party.

Follow The Flower!