My maiden venture bore fruit
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever” a famous quote by John Keytes is so relevant when it comes to admiring Nature.
At the onset of winter last November I ventured to plant tulips in the garden where l work as a caretaker. Since l am blessed with green fingers l wanted to plant exotic flowers just to see the park bloom differently.
I read up on the internet about potting the bulbs of tulips but was not confident of the results.I prepared the flower beds with a recommended fertiliser, arranged for the imported bulbs and finally set out in the mission.After the soil was ready to receive the pods, l had to arrange for 6-7 people to finish the task of putting them in the soil in a couple of days. I was lucky to get hold of some good workers who helped me and understood what was required to be done.After watering the planted bulbs, very little water was to be sprinkled on them. Then came the main hurdle. I had to fence the flower beds to keep them safe from the dogs and miscreants from damaging the plants. Fencing was a major task with limited resources and no professional help. I just experimented doing this successfully. I used to visit the park two times a day just to see if any casualty has happened.After a few days l could see the eyes of the pods popping out of the soil. One cannot describe the joy l experienced to see my efforts bearing results.
This time l chose tulips because they evoke images of vibrant colours, gentle breeze and serene surroundings. They set a platform to relax, unwind and connect with nature. The flowers came out in a stunning array of colors, from classic red and yellow, to delicate pink, white, purple and dual colours. They had their own distinct shape, from sleek and elegant, to full and ruffled. The air was full of their sweet fragrance.
In the evening, l saw residents take leisurely walks through the park admiring the tulips which spread like a tepestry of vibrant hues. I was keeping my fingers crossed, as unpredictable weather patterns could cause damage to the delicate plants. I think my effort in proper soil preparation, drainage, providing regular watering and fertiliser, besides installing protective barriers to prevent vandalism and foot traffic damage gave me excellent results. Then came the time when residents started congratulating me for all the efforts. People from far and wide came especially to see the garden blooming with rare flowers. All this gave me immense joy.
