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The Whistling Gardener by Steve Smith
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FEBRUARY 3, 2010
What are your “harbingers of spring”?
Ask any Midwesterner about winter in the northwest and I suspect you will get a universal guffaw. Our winters are mostly a joke to the rest of the country. But to us they are the real thing and we can’t wait long enough for spring to come. So as we grind through the long dark days of December, January and February we find ourselves looking for signs of a spring yet to come. The word for these signs is HARBINGER.
For me, there are definite harbingers in my garden that give me hope that spring is just around the corner. The first to come to mind is the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Depending on when you read this the show may already be over. It is very early this year, running February 3-7 but nothing gets my gardening glands salivating like a visit to this show every February. In addition to the Flower Show Tacoma has a Home and Garden show even earlier and Everett has their show the first week of March. (You may have already noticed my pretty face on the bill board on the corner of Hewitt and Broadway in Everett. I will be speaking all three days and I expect all of you to come and heckle me with your gardening questions).
Early blooming bulbs are another harbinger for me. Little white dangling snow drops are currently in full bloom as are the short and stocky yellow winter aconites. Hardy Cyclamen coum are coming into bloom and grape hyacinths will be close behind. As the tips of my tulips and daffs emerge from their long summer slumber I am encouraged that spring will soon be here. With a little planning you can have spring bulbs blooming from January until late May but that is a discussion for next fall when you can actually buy and plant them.
The return of many species of birds is a reminder that another nesting season is upon us. Little chickadees and nuthatches, hairy and downy woodpeckers, flickers and even a red breasted sap sucker have all returned to my feeders. Also flocks of redwing black birds are massing in the trees and gorging on my suet. Last night I heard the calls of a killdeer eluding some predator. It is time to start looking in my gravel for a nest with 4 eggs before I accidentally drive over it or crush it with my feet. No doubt, returning birds are a harbinger of spring for me.
Winter and early blooming trees are a continuous sign that nature never sleeps in the northwest. My Viburnum ‘Dawn' has been in flower since November. 'Arnold Promise' Witch hazel is in its full glory with yellow, fragrant spidery blooms. Speaking of fragrance, Sarcococca is a fabulous evergreen shrub ideally suited for a shady spot that blooms in late January. Plant one near your front or back door where you will enjoy it every time you come in or go out of the house. Winter daphne is another evergreen shrub that is unsurpassed for fragrance. Those cold days and nights in December knocked all the leaves off mine but the buds seem fine and are going to be open very soon. I can hardly wait for its intoxicating smell.
Swelling buds on plums are a sure sign that spring is coming. Plums are the first of the fruit trees to bloom for us but are rarely in color until March. You can see their buds swelling now (peach trees are on about the same time line) and it is exciting to know that in another month we will enjoy clouds of pink cotton candy-like flowers from the flowering plums that line so many streets in our towns. Larches and weeping willows are also showing signs of upwelling sap as their buds begin to enlarge and give us the first glimpses of new foliage. Contorted filberts are tasseling now and with the slightest breeze we will see clouds of yellow-green pollen wafting through the air. (This is probably not happy news for those with allergies). And who can forget the common but reliable forsythia. So many trees and shrubs that we take for granted display a wonderful spring dance if we just take the time to notice.
My all time favorite perennial, Gold Heart bleeding heart, has risen an inch or two out of the ground already and may very well be my most treasured harbinger of spring. In just one short month it will be another foot tall and then soon to follow will be those magical heart shaped flowers. Its gold foliage will then persist clear up until August. This plant hits a home run every year for me.
So as you can see, I have many harbingers in my garden that remind me that spring is coming. Hopefully so do you. Otherwise it’s going to be a long haul until you can plant those impatiens again.
Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at the nursery at 425-334-2002 or email at info@sunnysidenursery.net
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2009 Archives
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| DECEMBER 16, 2009 |
AREN’T PLANTS FASCINATING
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| DECEMBER 9, 2009 |
ARE YOU A MESSY MOLLIE OR NEAT NELLY?
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| DECEMBER 2, 2009 |
PUTTING THE GARDEN TO BED—PART 2
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| NOVEMBER 24, 2009 |
PUTTING THE GARDEN TO BED—PART ONE
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| NOVEMBER 18, 2009 |
Wreath Making—bringing the outdoors inside (or at least to the front door)
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| NOVEMBER 11, 2009 |
Leaves—to leave or not to leave
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| NOVEMBER 4, 2009 |
PRUNING MADE EASY-Join me this Saturday
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| OCTOBER 28, 2009 |
LAWNS, BULBS AND FALL PLANTING
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| OCTOBER 21, 2009 |
IT’S ANOTHER FABULOUS YEAR FOR FALL COLOR
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| OCTOBER 7, 2009 |
WATER YOUR DARN YARD PLEASE
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| SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 |
OCTOBER “TO DO” LIST
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| SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 |
It’s time to pitch those summer baskets
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| SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 |
BEES, BIRDS AND SPIDERS
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| SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 |
FALL IS FOR PLANTING—don’t be a slacker
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| AUGUST 19, 2009 |
August—not a month for loafing.
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| AUGUST 12, 2009 |
VINES CAN COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS
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| AUGUST 5, 2009 |
HYDRANGEAS FOR THE HOT SUN
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| JULY 29, 2009 |
SUMMER GARDENING CHECK LIST
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| JULY 22, 2009 |
Hydrangeas—Where are my flowers?
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| JULY 15, 2009 |
Thin to Win
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| JULY 8, 2009 |
It’s time for Summer School
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| JULY 1, 2009 |
Worried about your water bill this summer? Take care of your soil.
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| JUNE 24, 2009 |
IT’S OFFICIAL—SUMMER IS HERE: Don’t be afraid to plant.
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| JUNE 17, 2009 |
It’s a perfect year for roses
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| JUNE 10, 2009 |
HOW ABOUT SOME FREE GARDEN DESIGN
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| JUNE 3, 2009 |
A stitch in time saves nine.
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| MAY 27, 2009 |
You want hardy? I’ll give you hardy.
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| MAY 20, 2009 |
Set your yard on fire with a deciduous azalea
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| MAY 13, 2009 |
Magic in the Bag
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| MAY 6, 2009 |
Mother’s Day at the Garden Center
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| APRIL 29, 2009 |
Plants that die in the summer
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| APRIL 22, 2009 |
GROWING SMALL FRUITS AND BERRIES
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| APRIL 15, 2009 |
Time to plant the garden (at least part of it)
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| APRIL 8, 2009 |
But the tag said it was hardy?
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| APRIL 1, 2009 |
Let’s hear it for the Ragu Tomato
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| MARCH 25, 2009 |
Relax—They’re just roots.
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| MARCH 18, 2009 |
We’re having a Spring Faire
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| MARCH 11, 2009 |
Yet another educational opportunity
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| MARCH 4, 2009 |
LIFE AFTER DEATH
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| FEBRUARY 25, 2009 |
Gardening Classes—Standing Room Only
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| FEBRUARY 18, 2009 |
THE LAST FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW
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| FEBRUARY 11, 2009 |
PATIENCE
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| JANUARY 14, 2009 |
Mopping up after “Mega-Storm 2008”
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2008 Archives
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| DECEMBER 31, 2008 |
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS for the “real gardener”.
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| DECEMBER 24, 2008 |
Christmas Eve in my Garden
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| DECEMBER 17, 2008 |
Blooming sticks
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| DECEMBER 10, 2008 |
This is why you need some deciduous plants in your garden.
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| DECEMBER 3, 2008 |
Cheer-up, Spring is just around the corner!
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| NOVEMBER 26, 2008 |
SO, HOW DO I PRUNE MY HYDRANGEA?
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| NOVEMBER 19, 2008 |
It’s time to make a holiday wreath at your local garden center.
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| NOVEMBER 5, 2008 |
PRUNING MADE EASY-Join me this Saturday
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| OCTOBER 29, 2008 |
Yikes, I’m turning 60
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| OCTOBER 22, 2008 |
EVERGREEN PLANTS WITH FALL AND WINTER COLOR
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| OCTOBER 15, 2008 |
FALL COLOR IDEAS FOR YOUR GARDEN
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| OCTOBER 8, 2008 |
Fall color, it’s like another bloom season
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| OCTOBER 1, 2008 |
What a difference a week makes.
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| SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 |
Pear slugs and fall web worms,
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| SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 |
Time to replant containers for winter interest.
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| SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 |
What’s old is new again.
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| SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 |
Just keep telling yourself: This is late summer, it is not fall.
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| AUGUST 27, 2008 |
Keep your garden changing with these 'GIANTS OF AUGUST'
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| AUGUST 20, 2008 |
OH, THE GLORIES OF SUMMER
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| AUGUST 13, 2008 |
5 GALLONS A DAY FOR 5 DAYS
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| AUGUST 6, 2008 |
Keeping the garden vertical
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| JULY 30, 2008 |
Beyond 'Wineglass Watering'
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| JULY 23, 2008 |
GARDENERS LOVE THE “F” WORD
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| JULY 16, 2008 |
Shifting gears for the summer
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| JULY 9, 2008 |
How to invite birds into your garden.
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| JULY 2, 2008 |
Gardening is for the birds
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| JUNE 25, 2008 |
JUNE—Time for spring planting!
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| JUNE 18, 2008 |
See you at Sorticulture
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| JUNE 11, 2008 |
Plant ideas for Father
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| JUNE 4, 2008 |
Guaranteed Gardening: Easy Elegance® Takes the Risk Out of Roses
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| MAY 28, 2008 |
The Importance of Compost, Mulch and Fertilizer
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| MAY 21, 2008 |
You need a Wisteria
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| MAY 14, 2008 |
May is Dogwood month in my book.
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| APRIL 30, 2008 |
Raised Beds are perfect for a Veggie Garden
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| APRIL 23, 2008 |
OH YES, THE SILVER LINNING
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| APRIL 16, 2008 |
SEE YOU AT THE EVERETT HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
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| APRIL 9, 2008 |
Mad About Perennials
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| APRIL 2, 2008 |
Is there a Magnolia in your future?
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| MARCH 26, 2008 |
If you treat it right, heather makes a fabulous ground cover.
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| MARCH 19, 2008 |
Time to Plant Clematis
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| MARCH 12, 2008 |
Aren’t you glad you planted bulbs, don’t you wish everyone did?
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| MARCH 5, 2008 |
There’s a reason they call it “March”.
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| FEBRUARY 27, 2008 |
More “Green” Advice—Plant your own berries
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| FEBRUARY 20, 2008 |
It’s Show Time—Garden Show that is.
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| FEBRUARY 13, 2008 |
What could be more green than a garden center?
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| FEBRUARY 6, 2008 |
ARE YOUR FINGERS ITCHING?
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| JANUARY 23, 2008 |
GETTING THROUGH THE NORTHWEST WINTER
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| JANUARY 16, 2008 |
THE WHISTLER IS BACK
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2006 Archives
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| OCTOBER 25, 2006 |
Wrapping up the season...Until next year
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| OCTOBER 18, 2006 |
Hardy cyclamen- Dainty but durable
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| OCTOBER 11, 2006 |
Fall color in the garden
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| OCTOBER 4, 2006 |
Worried about spinach? Grow your own and other fall crops.
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| SEPTEMBER 27, 2006 |
I guess summer is over
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| SEPTEMBER 20, 2006 |
Are you ready for painted heather?
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| SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 |
It's Fall gardening season
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| SEPTEMBER 6, 2006 |
Back to school
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| AUGUST 30, 2006 |
Earth friendly containers for a sustainable world
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| AUGUST 23, 2006 |
Never a dull moment
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| AUGUST 16, 2006 |
Summer pruning makes good sense
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| AUGUST 9, 2006 |
Summer at the Garden Center-where are you?
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| AUGUST 2, 2006 |
This little figgy went to the market
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| JULY 26, 2006 |
Yes, It's OK to plant now
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| JULY 19, 2006 |
Late bloomers
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| JUNE 28, 2006 |
Everblooming daylilies are well worth planting
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| JUNE 21, 2006 |
Getting high on hydrangeas
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| JUNE 14, 2006 |
For Father's Day make Dad King of the Jungle
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| JUNE 7, 2006 |
New Annuals for 2006
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| MAY 31, 2006 |
June-Time for spring planting!
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| MAY 24, 2006 |
Black negligees and silver lace
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| MAY 17, 2006 |
Black lace and golden lanterns
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| MAY 10, 2006 |
Gift ideas for Mom
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| MAY 3, 2006 |
Every garden needs a deciduous azalea
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| APRIL 26, 2006 |
My dummie's guide for a beautiful lawn
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| APRIL 19, 2006 |
"No Rules" Container Gardening
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| APRIL 12, 2006 |
Reporting live from Southern California
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| APRIL 5, 2006 |
Madame, would you like a tulip tree or a Magnolia?
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| MARCH 29, 2006 |
Getting started in the vegetable garden
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| MARCH 22, 2006 |
Time to Plant Berries
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| MARCH 15, 2006 |
A Tale of Five Seed Packets
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| MARCH 8, 2006 |
TIME TO PLANT TULIPS AND DAFFODILS—SAY WHAT?
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| MARCH 1, 2006 |
Spring is like a giant freight train
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