Some of our gardens are doing just that. We might find it a soothing activity to walk around and take a look at what is happening. Some of our perennials are just beginning to poke their tips through the soil. Others are well on their way. Some have become injured on their journey already as ice and snows continued to make travel difficult for them.

I was listening to one of my favorite NCPR radio shows, “Science Friday,” on April 10. The program was titled, “Resilient flowers. These flowers bounce back.” The guest interviewed spoke of getting outside and viewing our flower beds. Some blooms get bent or injured with wind, hale and late snows as they poke their heads through the soil. Some of these shoots will self correct but others could benefit from a little help.

Nature provides assistance in the form of pollinators which aim for the pollen sacs, land on them and collect pollen to spread. Blooms that have been injured are not accessible to the pollinators. However, if we have time to observe our perennials as they grow, we can help the ones that are bent or crowded in by other blooms. A stem can be righted or propped up manually with its pollen sac upright to receive the bee, humming bird, bat or butterfly. Do try to get outside and observe your flower beds as the blooms begin to sprout. Right them if necessary or clear adjacent blooms/petals from crowding. The pollen sacs will thus be available.

Kathy Critelli, an artist and retired art/science teacher, is our club secretary. She would advise us to “…take a moment and observe.”

Get out into our gardens and experience a bounce back “moment.” Certainly in these times of uncertainty, surveillance of blooms coming back to life can be a gentle reminder that we will survive this challenging time.

I went outside again and checked on a few day lilies which are always early to erupt. They did look a bit crooked but well on their way. They certainly do not need any assistance. I am at the ready, however, if I detect a struggling stem. So nice to be outside!

Check out our website, www.gardenclublakeplacid.org, to update yourself on club activities. May is projected as a busy month. If an activity has to be canceled, it will be noted. We hope to gather again to continue our gardening season.

‘Til then, stay safe and make time to tour your gardens. Take that moment to observe and fuss.