Message From The Edmonds in Bloom President

From Winter to Spring…

Winter gardens speak of promise, not loss. They remind us that dormancy and rest are an important part of growth, and stillness is an important part of learning. Every season in the garden brings a different set of responsibilities and opportunities. Spring, summer, fall, and winter – however they unfold for us, are unique and purposeful—each season bringing opportunities of its own.

25th Anniversary

This time last year as gardeners were preparing for spring, the Edmonds in Bloom board was eagerly preparing for our 25th-anniversary celebration. It was to be a year of celebrating gardens and enhancing our community through floral activities and projects.  Little did we know that COVID 19 was on the horizon, and life in our community would be vastly altered. Daily routines saw major adjustments affecting employment, education, recreation, and community interaction.

Entry into the world of gardening!

As an organization of gardeners, Edmonds in Bloom appreciated the increase of lovely gardens that began to blossom around town during the time of quarantine. With extra time on their hands, previously ‘dormant’ gardeners took to the soil and bravely entered the world of gardening. Masked people excitedly lined up six feet apart at the nurseries, while flowers, shrubs, and vegetable plants literally flew off the shelves.

Community

As the winter season brings darker and colder days, it also lends an opportunity to be quiet, reflect, and learn. This past year was a hard one for many, in some ways it was a winter season. As an organization, what we missed the most was our connection with the community. Like many in Edmonds, most of our planned events were canceled. One of the many things that makes Edmonds so special is the sense of community. We love our city. This past year has taught many of us not to take that for granted. We need each other.

Hope

However, winters do not last forever. Spring always follows. Gardeners are resilient and optimistic. Gardeners transition from winter to spring with hope. Edmonds in Bloom is hopeful. We are optimistic that 2021 will become a ‘do-over’ year for our 25th anniversary, and we can celebrate activities with our community. We will be resilient if changes are necessary. Already this year we have provided funds toward the City of Edmond’s street corners, a fence and footbridge at the new restoration area in City Park, and a scholarship for an Edmonds College horticulture student.

This year's activities!

We have some fun surprises planned to help us celebrate this coming year. Check out our website at https://edmondsinbloom.com/ and follow us on Facebook and Instagram as we post updates about our activities, including news about the Garden Tour which is currently scheduled for July 18.  We look forward to transitioning out of this winter (and hopefully COVID 19 restrictions) and anticipate celebrating the beauty of our spring and summer gardens again with you.

Tell us about your favorite Spring flowers in the comments below!

Carol Murray
Edmonds in Bloom President