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Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

Eve of A Gardening Vacation

May 7, 2008 By Carol Michel 23 Comments

Perhaps in a few years we will look back on this spring of 2008 and declare that it was one of the best we’ve ever seen.

Though it is early, all indications are that every blooming tree, shrub and flower has been outstanding, blooming as profusely as ever imagined.

Sitting here on my patio, I can breathe deeply and smell the Lily of the Valley blooming just a few feet away.

The scent always reminds me of my grandmother’s garden, where Lily of the Valley bloomed each spring around Mother’s Day, the perfect time for kids to pick them and present them to their grandmothers and mothers.

Around the side of my house, the peonies are starting to show their bloom colors and the next lilac variety is poised to bloom.
It’s the very fragrant Meyer Lilac, Syringa meyeri. Lilacs and peonies are two reasons why I love gardening in Indiana.

And for the next week and a half, I’ll be on vacation, heading out to a place called May Dreams Gardens. Have you heard of it?

I’ll get to enjoy all of these blooms and more as I work in the garden, planting, weeding, pruning and being. I’ll smell the lilacs, anticipate the full bloom of the peonies, and admire subtle changes as the garden morphs from spring to early summer.

And I’ll be gardening. Full-time.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: gardening

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy says

    May 7, 2008 at 2:24 am

    Bon voyage! Will we be hearing from you while you’re on vacation?

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2008 at 2:29 am

    Gorgeous photos…and it’s just the beginning of your vacation week! Can’t wait to hear all about it as you spend time with your plants.

    Reply
  3. Rose says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:05 am

    With the price of gas, this sounds like the perfect vacation destination. Enjoy!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:09 am

    Have a lovely vacation. I used to take gardening vacations, too…usually in the middle of October after the heat of summer and when all the overwintering annuals need planting.

    Enjoy your lilacs, peonies, and lily-of-the-valley–all flowers I’ve never seen in life (or maybe I’ve seen in England on a vacation but have forgotten).

    Reply
  5. growingagardenindavis says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:12 am

    Sounds like heaven! I’m imagining how much could get done and STILL have time to “just be” in the garden…sigh…

    Reply
  6. Gail says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:18 am

    Have a wonderful time, be sure to put the do not disturb sign on the gate.

    My son would love all your lilacs, that’s his favorite flower.

    BTW, Venus is not on the ground!

    Gail

    Reply
  7. Robin's Nesting Place says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:26 am

    I hope the weather holds out for you while you’re on vacation.

    It has been a glorious spring, definitely one to remember.

    Your peonies are farther along than mine. I can’t wait to see those blooms!

    Reply
  8. Christopher C. NC says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:43 am

    Carol, having the spring of 2008 be one of the best we have ever seen is the most wonderful welcome I could have to a new climate and new garden. I’ll go stick my nose right in the Lily of the Valley and the Lilac.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:55 am

    Oh Carol, you made me tear up. I remember smelling the lily of the valley in my grandmother’s garden. My mom told me just last week that my grandmother (a gifted gardener) would be so proud me and my gardening efforts. I’m going to have to find some lily of the valley to tuck away in a corner somewhere in her memory.

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2008 at 5:16 am

    I’ve been searching for the perfect lilac – will have to check that one out. I had no idea there were gardening vacations – sounds awesome.
    ~plantgirl of http://squarefootgardenblog.com

    Reply
  11. beckie says

    May 7, 2008 at 5:38 am

    Carol, enjoy!

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Carol, enjoy! I just had a gardening vacation, and I honestly think it was one of my best vacations ever. Of course, we had freakishly perfect weather, which helped. Here’s hoping for perfect weather for you, too.

    Reply
  13. Lisa at Greenbow says

    May 7, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    Have a wonderful vacation Carol. I know you won’t be lonesome since you have all your hoes to keep you company. THere will be surprises to see every day you step into your garden. Fresh salad for your lunches. Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh sounds wonderful to me.

    Reply
  14. Karen says

    May 7, 2008 at 3:13 pm

    It really has been a wonderful spring. We have been really fortunate here in Indiana.

    Have a wonderful garden vacation!

    Reply
  15. Nancy J. Bond says

    May 7, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    I hope you enjoy your vacation. 🙂 I have a very vivid memory of lily-of-the-valley, too. There was a huge clump of it in front of a house I had to pass while walking to school when I was very young. I believe I stopped every day to “steal” a sniff of that heady fragrance. I was amazed by them then, and now.

    Reply
  16. Cindy, MCOK says

    May 7, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    Hope you’re having a fine old time, Carol … how could you not with such beautiful blooms surrounding you? Love those LOVs, wish we could grow them. And peonies. And lilacs. Ah, well, we have other things even if I can’t remember what they are right now!

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    May 7, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    Your May dreams become reality this month. Enjoy that beautiful spring! We’ll see you when you get back.

    Reply
  18. Sweet Home and Garden Carolina says

    May 8, 2008 at 12:16 am

    Gardening full-time, in May, Carol? That is so delightful !

    The Korean lilac ( Syringa Meyeri) has a prominent place in my garden as well.

    Enjoy your May vacation.

    Reply
  19. vonlafin says

    May 8, 2008 at 3:36 am

    I so envy your time in the garden. I hope before I die I get the chance to spend the month of May, just enjoying the sights and smells, and puttering around the garden with no worries.

    Reply
  20. Carol Michel says

    May 8, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    Thanks all for the nice comments and the wonderful send off for my gardening vacation.

    So far, it’s raining, but it can rain every day for the next week and a half, (can it?)

    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

    Reply
  21. Monica the Garden Faerie says

    May 9, 2008 at 1:34 pm

    Aren’t peony bids the coolest things? I always think they look like an impressionist painting. I’m taking the week of May 19 as a garden vacation–even though I have a lot of home improvement tasks thrown in, I’m really, really REALLY looking forward to this week off. (Have I mentioned I’m excitedly anticipating the week?!)
    ~ Monica

    Reply
  22. Monica the Garden Faerie says

    May 9, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Er… by peony “bids” I of course meant “buds”!

    Reply
  23. lisa says

    May 9, 2008 at 5:19 pm

    Gardening in the Midwest just rocks, doesn’t it? Although I’ve moved way north of my childhood home in Mishawaka, Indiana I can still grow all three of the plants you mentioned. Very comforting to have childhood memories out your doorstep. (Good smelling, too! 🙂

    Reply

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