Mid-February signifies that it is time to start sowing our seed packets. Yippee, the gardening has begun! It is best to use fresh seeds, you’ll need a sunny window and in a couple of weeks…voila, little sprouts of broccoli or pansies or whatever seeds you choose will be poking their tiny heads up welcoming the arrival of spring. To learn more about which seeds to plant when and how best to get started, go check out my article about starting seeds. Enjoy, truly bringing a plant to life from those first roots and that introductory sip of water to the mature plant it will soon flourish into.

Finally the weather is warming and all those thick sheets of ice are melting, turning lawns into sloshy, soggy marshes. It might be time to strap on those boots and wade through the garden with a journal in hand. Sketch areas in your garden that are lacking and start to plan what you might sow in the spring…go check out my article - a gardeners journal. It is full of inspirational reasons to write down thoughts on your garden, tear out pictures from magazines, keep seed packets, and compile a diary on the earth that frames your haven.

The big V-Day is quickly approaching. I’m traveling in Mexico enjoying the natural beauty of this lush, tropical paradise. If you are in a colder climate and can’t walk out on the patio and pluck a hybiscus straight off the bush to extend to your lover, no worries. Check out my newest article about flowers, their meaning and much more at •Mi Amore! and kisses to you and yours.

Hey lovers, Valentines Day is right around the corner and if you are looking for a unique gift that will keep on giving, try planting a chocolate lovers garden. Believe it or not, there is a bevy of flora that sports shades of the lush chocolate brown color and/or wafts of the sweet aroma of chocolate. From chocolate scented lilies to chocolate cosmos blooms, this garden will only grow with your love. Check out this informative article about how to get started on a chocolate garden.

Valentines day is right around the corner, and hopefully this year your sweetie will be showering you with all things pertaining to love. If your betrothed shells out the big bucks for fresh flowers, slather him/her with kisses and set them in a prominant place…no where near a heating vent! Unlike your deep abiding love, flowers sadly fade, wither and die but there are some steps you can take to keep them looking fresh and lovely as long as possible. Read my article, “Make Your Flowers Last” under “informative”, it is a how-to with lots of tips you’ll use from this Valentines Day until…well, with any luck your 75th anniversary. Happy love!

I must admit February has never been one of my favorite months as a gardener and artist in Kansas…it is brown, dormant, dull and cold, ugh. I think what gets me through is knowing that March is right around the corner and that is when the rebirth of the earth begins. In the meantime, today is a great day to scoop out the ashes in the fireplace and carry a load of wood inside so it stays dry for the upcoming frigid week.

The sun is beaming through the windows beckoning us to step outside, then ouch, oh that deceiving sun…it is in the single digits and there is nothing the sun can do about it. As gardening is generally out of the question, we are going to the park to ice skate on the outdoor rink. Frovolity will prevail and that is as it should be on a Saturday.  Later a nice cozy fire should hit the spot.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I want you to spread the word to everyone in your address book so we can create an interactive discussion about all things gardening. I am hear to listen to ideas and if you have gardening questions, I am here to answer those queries. So, please take a moment and let me know what you think and then pass this site address on to as many gardeners as you know.

After writing about the subject for almost 4 years now it seemed appropriate to compile a place where people can read past articles and give me their opinions. I am extremely excited and I sincerely hope we take over the internet as THE premier blog to talk about the home and garden.

Thank you and enjoy!