Daffodils in October: Volunteers Needed!
Posted in Programs and Events on October 10 2012, by Matt Newman
Fair warning, northerners: you’ll have to forgive me for bringing up the touchy subject of warm weather. I know it seems like I’m teasing your patience with the far-off return of shorts and sandals, food trucks, and musty coats gone to closet, especially with the chilly stuff still ahead of us; the leaves have hardly given an autumn shrug, much less an autumn change. But when it comes to New York’s official flower–the daffodil–even standing at snow’s door step is a good time to talk about next spring’s blossoms!
Actually, it’s the best of times.
On Thursday, October 11, the NYBG not only celebrates a Garden tradition that dates back nearly a century, but recognizes how that tradition finds new meaning in recent years. Daffodil Hill has remained the spring pride of this organization since the early 20th century, when thousands of white and buttermilk yellow blooms would wake to send off winter with carpets of sunny color. And they still do! Daffodils, being perennials, are a hardy lot that bounces back year after year, often with more flowers to boast than the spring before. In the years following 9/11, the species came to represent the resilience and beauty of the people of New York–so much so that Mayor Michael Bloomberg officially recognized the daffodil as the flower of New York City in 2007. As a symbol of remembrance, the daffodil has been planted in the millions throughout the five boroughs, brightening parks in Manhattan just as they bunch around street trees in Brooklyn.
The Garden is set to add a few more to that tally. A few thousand more, in fact. But because our horticulturists are swimming in daffodil bulbs–far more than they could possibly plant on their own–we’re going to need a few extra hands to make this happen in a single day. We’ll supply the trowels, gloves, bulbs and expertise, and all you have to bring is your work ethic. Make your way back to the NYBG in April and you’ll see the results of your generous volunteer work springing up all around you!
By planting these daffodils, we’re not only keeping our Garden traditions verdant for the next century, but doing our part for those that New York City holds dear. If you’d like to hop a train to the Bronx and pitch in yourself, our October planting takes place near the south fence between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 11. Just email our Volunteer Services office at volunteer@nybg.org to get involved, or call 718-817-8564. And who knows? You might even catch a few Plant Talk staffers out there getting their hands dirty.
