by The first thing I noticed when I got out of the car was two weeks absent meant a lot of leaves. Because I’m obsessive about the yard, I tossed my suitcase inside, grabbed the broom, and headed out front to sweep before the evening light faded. As I bent to scoop up leaves, tiny green plants among the gravel came into focus.
Bluebonnet sprouts. In October. Before Halloween.
Every year, I post “OMG, bluebonnets are coming up!” In 2018, that Instagram post came on Sept. 17 (“Suspicions confirmed; my bluebonnets are already sprouting.”); on Dec. 27, I shared a photo of the first bloom. Last year was a bumper crop–neighbors asked to take family photos on our walkway. Positioned just so on the stepping stone, you appeared nestled amid a field without crushing any plants.
I harvested a lot of seeds this summer and, even though I handed out big bags, a lot remain. I think I’ll pass out what’s left (along with planting instructions) in my Little Free Library this summer. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Back to today’s two-inch tall sprouts. Are my bluebonnets appearing earlier? Well, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, bluebonnets “germinate in the fall and grow throughout the winter, and usually bloom around the end of March to the middle of May.” I do think mine are ahead of schedule; December blossoms are certainly unusual. Perhaps I just notice them more (especially after that one year when I thought those green things were weeds and pulled them up. Ouch.)
I’m noting dates. But I’d bet there are lots of blooms well before March ends.
