Let the fun begin...!

Happy (almost) Spring! It's time for us to get started gardening again. Although we can't actually go outside and start planting things, we can "make do" indoors.

Local experts recommend starting several types of vegetables indoors in early to mid March. These include tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and eggplants. Herbs to start now are basil and parsley.

As for flowers, seeds to be planted in March include bacopa, geraniums, columbine, impatiens, petunias and verbena.

Be sure to use a good seed starting mix. Soak this in hot water before using as cold water will not soak up the peat in the mixture.

Seedlings need lots of light, so place them in a large south window. If you are lucky enough to have plant lights, it is easier to end up with nice stocky leggy plants. Keep the bulbs just above the seed trays and gradually raise them as the plants grow. A cool room helps too, once germination has taken place. To aid in that step, a heat mat works well, but isn't really necessary.

As the days begin to warm up and we see more sun, be sure to take a stroll through your yard to see what's happening. Snowdrops are often the first bulbs to bloom. I've been happy to see several of my primrose plants blooming all winter. Tough little guys.

Other plants to get started growing indoors are any dahlia or tuberous begonia bulbs you may have saved over winter or recently purchased. Bring these out and get them potted up. Water them well, then wait until you see growth before watering again. Place them in a good south window. They will take right off and be ready to go out in late May, weather permitting.

Another late winter activity is to plan your garden plot. Draw out a map of the area with rows or sections marked off for each type of plant. Also check to see what seeds you need to buy. The majority of vegetable seeds need to be directly planted into the garden. For example, starting corn indoors is not a real good idea.

Trees and shrubs can be trimmed now. Be sure to get this done before they leaf out. Early flowering ones are best left until after they bloom. No one wants to cut the buds off the lilac bushes.

How are those holiday gift plants looking these days? If you're lucky, they are still blooming and looking good. Too often, though, they're looking sad. If this is the case, toss them out. Very few "florist" plants are hardy and not worth trying to save. Treat them like cut flowers; when they're done, they're done.

Local stores are now carrying blooming primrose plants. These come in a wonderful array of colors. If you buy some, please remember that these are not houseplants. They're perennials for outdoors and like very cool temperatures. I have a few new ones and they're on a small table just outside my back window where I can enjoy them. I only bring them in on very cold nights and that's just because they've been accustomed to being in a greenhouse. Once the ground warms up a bit, they can be planted into their permanent homes.

OK, that's about it for now. As you well know, our work has just begun!

Elaine Cerny started gardening in 4-H. Since then, she has continued to grow everything fruits, vegetables, flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently serving as secretary for the River City Garden Club in Post Falls.