´Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the yard
The branches were bare
And the ground frozen hard;
The roses were dormant
And mulched all around
To protect them from damage
If frost heaves the ground;
The perennials were nestled
All snug in their beds,
While visions of fertilizer
Danced in their heads;
The newly planted shrubs
Had been soaked by a hose
To settle their roots
For a long winter’s doze;
And out on the lawn
The new fallen snow
Protected the roots
Of the grasses below;
When, what to my wondering
Eyes should appear,
But a sleigh full of gifts
Of gardening gear;
St. Nick was the driver
A jolly old elf,
And he winked as he said,
“I’m a gardener myself.
I’ve brought new seeds
And light systems, too,
Give them a try
And see how they do.
To eliminate weeding,
I brought bags of mulch
To attract the pollinators,
I have flowers for best results.
To add to your joy,
I’ve plenty of herbs
And ornamental grasses
For your hell strip curb.
For seed planting days,
I’ve a trowel and dibble.
And a roll of wire mesh,
If the rabbits should nibble.
I have the latest books
Plus some gadgets you’ll love;
Plant stakes and frames,
And waterproof gloves.
Here are sharp shears
And a new compost pit
And, for pH detecting,
A soil testing kit.
With these colorful flagstones,
Lay a new garden path.
For the view from your window,
A bird feeder and bath.
And last but not least,
Some well-rotted manure.
A green garden year-round,
These gifts will ensure.
Then, jolly St. Nick
Having emptied his load,
Jumped in the seat
And took to the road.
And I heard him exclaim
Through the nights quiet hum,
“Merry Christmas to all,
And to all a green thumb!”
I read an old version of A Gardener’s Christmas in the Garden Club of Virginia’s December Journal.
the author is unknown so I took a few liberties. Merry Christmas!
