ELAINE CERNY: MY GARDEN PATH — Let the ‘fun’ begin!

All I can say is, if spring isn’t here by now, it certainly ought to be! It has seemed like a very long winter, not because of the amount of snow we got, but because the first snow arrived way last September!

Here’s an interesting project: seed testing. If you have seeds that have been lying around for quite a while, you may want to check their viability before planting any. If they won’t germinate, why waste your time planting them? It’s an easy project.

You will need some seeds, a paper towel or two, a resealable plastic bag and a pen.

Dampen the paper towel, arrange the seeds. (Use 10 if you have plenty as that’s the easiest number to calculate.) Roll up the towel and place in the paper bag. Seal the bag and write the plant name on it. Place in a warm area. The time will vary as some take longer than others; usually two to 14 days. Don’t allow the towel to dry out. Respray with water if necessary.

Once you see sprouted seeds, remove from the pack, unroll and count:

No. of seeds No. of sprouts % of germination

10 1 10 %

10 5 50%

10 10 100%

If you only get 1 to sprout, you may as well toss them all, five is iffy, but 6 to 10 is fine. What to do with the new sprouts? If the time is right, go ahead and plant them into the garden. Too early? Plant indoors if you have a nice bright spot for them.

Mid-April is the normal time for the hummingbirds to arrive here so keep your eyes peeled. It wouldn’t hurt to mix up some sugar water and hang a feeder outside your window. Don’t waste your money on the store-bought stuff as it is so easy to make. Just add 1/4 cup of sugar to a cup of water. Microwave until it’s hot, stir, cool and pour into your favorite feeder. Do NOT add red food coloring as it is toxic to birds. The little buggers will be hungry after their long flight.

I’m seeing outdoor plants being advertised for sale now. Some, like the perennials are OK, but be careful with the annuals. Some are semi hardy, but many are not. Some of those easily killed by a frost are geraniums, marigolds and coleus. If you can’t resist buying any of these, you will need to “baby” them until at least mid-May.

This is called “hardening off.” To do this, put the plants outdoors on nice warm days … 60 degrees or above and bring them back indoors by late afternoon. You’ll be glad you took the extra effort once they start “doing their thing” outside.

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Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column has appeared in The Press every other Sunday from early March until late October for the past 12 years.