Marilyn Bohn | Creative Organizer

My friend gave me an amaryllis for Valentine’s Day and I can’t wait to see it bloom. I hope it is red because that is my favorite color for that flower. But any bloom will be wonderful.

A few years ago I planted paperwhites to bloom in the house. Oh, was that ever a big mistake. They smelled so bad I actually thought something had died up in the fireplace chimney until I realized the smell was coming from the flowers.

But there are a lot of other bulbs that can be planted inside to bring a hint of spring into our lives. “To create a little flower is the labour of ages.”—William Blake

To coax bulbs into flowering inside:

• Choose your container—you can use just about anything. Glass will make checking the water level easier.
• Add a little soil or pebbles, aquarium charcoal (to keep it from smelling) water and that’s it.
• Paperwhites, (you know what I think of those), grape hyacinth, amaryllis, purple shamrock and others—check with your local nursery–will sprout vibrant blossoms in just a few weeks.
• Once a bulb has been forced, discard it. Getting it to bloom again can be difficult.

You will have a little spring magic—no matter what the calendar says. This morning when I was out walking before the chickens were up the moon was full and a deep gorgeous orange, Spring is getting closer.