Some of you may remember that sobbing post where we confessed that, due to skipping Spring 2018, there would be no ranunculus this year.

The experts say that when ground temp reaches 60 and daytime temp reaches a consistent 80, that ranunculus will stop putting out new blooms.  We assumed that they knew what they were talking about.  After all, they had grown these flowers before; we hadn’t.  Three weeks of 80 degree weather in May convinced us.  Our ranunculus dream was over before it ever began.

But as you’ve probably guessed by the evidence, we were in for a surprise.  One night, when our backs were aching from an intense evening of weeding, we noticed a development in the ranunculus patch. A BUD!   A BUD A BUD A BUD.  Laugh out Loud.  A bud.

Or pray out loud.  Mom told us she prayed for our ranunculus.  Every now and then we’ll tell each other, “We grew ranunculus.”  But we know the truth.  God grew it, straight out of the ground and into the hottest spring we’ve had in years.

Book learnin’ is good, but no substitute for actual doing.  When it comes to gardening, we’ve learned that everybody’s experience is different, based on so many variables (growing zone, soil quality, precipitation, weather patterns, microclimates, late frosts, insect pressure, etc.)  It’s just a bit like life, I suppose.  Read the manuals, follow the directions, but keep an eye out for the unexpected things.  Also keep an eye out for the camera.

I suppose this is a classic illustration of one of my favorite quotes: “Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith.”  You never know what is happening beneath the surface.

Rosita & LaRonda